this is mindfulness. this is joy.

If we examine our priorities, we’ll easily recognize that not many outweigh the importance of our loved ones.

And if we’re mindful, we’ll recognize that these people don’t last forever. At any given moment, we are at great risk for one’s leaving. We don’t know when. We don’t know how.

So if this does not prompt us to cherish our loved ones, right here, right now, what will?

I’ve been thinking about how beautiful it is when someone takes the time to write to me or call. They’ve chosen to direct their not-so-forever life towards me. If this is not sacred, what is?

The only thing that really matters is love — how much we take the time to give it, to experience, receive, and share it.

So the next time we talk to a loved one, we can practice this: undivided attention and deep listening. It is our only way of making a moment last longer.

With mindfulness, we are present. We can feel a deep peace within our being. We can move forward knowing that we have appreciated life’s most precious gifts which are our loved ones.

But we will be regretful, if we are only half there, half loving, half listening, half caring, half present.

But we will be regretful if we overlook the importance of this and fixate ourselves on popularity, ambition, and material gain.

We will look back and wish we had more time.

“What am I doing with the time I have now?” — therein lies the most important question to ask.

Don’t overlook a loved one’s smile, or how they tell you about their day, or even how they complain. Still they have chosen you, to share their not-so-forever life with. If this is not sacred, what is?

Extending oneself with great empathy. Stopping. And appreciating what is right there, what is right in front of you. What is so obvious yet so easily overlooked. This is mindfulness. This is joy.