Just to Be

Early this morning, I stepped outside and experienced the morning. The rising sun cast a rosy glow on newly fallen snow; the air was crisp and biting. It was so beautiful that my heart filled with peace. The simple loveliness of an ordinary winter morning brought me joy and I felt immensely grateful just to be.

Sometimes, thoughts of the future can bring me anxiety, as I'm sure they can all of us. There is so much uncertainty in our world and in our personal lives that we can easily go down a rabbit hole, imagining all the possibilities, if we allow ourselves. 

Today, on President's Day, as we honor great presidents of the past and perhaps worry about our current election year in this very divided nation, there is much that we could choose to think about and become anxious about. 

Or we could choose to just be, living in the moment and appreciating each small gift that comes our way. We can focus on our breath for a few minutes, grateful for the clean, fresh, invigorating  air. We can choose a "mantra" to calm our minds: "Be still and know that I am God". 

Jesus said that "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17: 20-21) Within you, closer than your breath... if we only seek, we will find this Spirit, this peace, this joy in simply being, fully present in this eternal now moment.