Not knowing is vexing, perplexing and, yes, a blessing.

While I will always remain a planner for my future, for tomorrow, for the coming week, as I take great pleasure in doing so and find there to be many benefits, we cannot know how it will all precisely unfold no matter how much precise planning we engage in. 

I was reminded of this truth as I was taking the boys for a walk in the sunshine that was doing its best to warm up a late winter day this past Wednesday. As I was walking, I was dreaming of long-held goals and wondering when or if such events might occur. But then I realized, such questions aren't the questions to be asking. In fact, we need only ask ourselves one vitally revealing question so long as we answer it honestly. That question is What am I doing now to bring me closer to the opportunity I hope will happen, should it arrive, to be able to pounce upon the chance to turn my dream into a reality?

As I went about asking myself this question, I realized I am doing what I can and what I need. And because of this realization, I reminded myself of all that I have to savor at this very moment: the gift of relaxing and being present. And that moment with the dogs, taking in beautifully crisp, fresh air, gazing upon Mother Nature, I was indeed feeling quite blessed. 

We can frustrate ourselves unnecessarily at times and squash the many opportunities to find joy in the everyday when we worry about "what will be" instead of appreciating what is right now. While I will admit, I regress from time to time and wonder about the future; I will also share, it happens far less often, and thus I have been enjoying the moments of the everyday far more often. From working on my morning NY Times daily mini puzzle with Norman on my lap, to reading a book that enables me to lose all track of time, the beautiful moments are everywhere and we do not want to miss them wondering about the future. Yes, we need to take the time to determine what plan of action to follow to strive toward our goals and not be taken off track, but then we need to live and enjoy the lives we have the good fortune to have built for ourselves. (Read this post to discover 20 Ways to Banish Worry and this post to discover 10 Truths of Successful People.)

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