the present

There's nothing quite like a baby that can get you to accept and enjoy the present moment. Erin and I have been very diligent in enjoying how Kai is at this moment throughout his life, rather than wishing he was quieter, crawling, walking, talking, etc.. I remember at one point months ago having a conversation about how whatever growth stage he was in was going to be over before we knew it. Here I am, nine and a half months into his life, and I already cannot remember what momentuous occassion it was that I was supposed to be enjoying.

For example, Kai right now is a very talented crawler, and he can pull up to a standing position on any somewhat-sturdy object. If he loses his balance, 99% of the time he just falls on his butt into a sitting position. In a few months, he'll be walking, and crawling will be a thing of the past, just another scenic route on his life's journey. Sometime after that his crawling will be a distant memory, and it may be difficult to recreate the joy that we had during those moments when he crawled after us or the cat with that amazingly enthusiastic grin on his face, grunting with joy every inch of the way. Wishing that he were any way other than the way he is could cause us to miss the joy of the present moment, and that would be a tragedy.

Some people go their entire lives wishing that things weren't the way they are. They feel that their circumstances are somehow wrong and unfair. Well, what you focus on expands. If you only focus on the things you don't have, that's all you'll see, and you may not notice that you have a roof over your head, food in your belly, and the other gifts in your life. Every once in awhile, take a moment and take inventory of your life, and appreciate what gifts you already have. Out loud.

You could say that the ultimate gift is your own presence.

On that note, I want to acknowledge you, my faithful readers, for being who you are to me and I hope that you enjoy my work. Until next time, au revoir.