Suspend fear and worry and enjoy the moment and space you occupy now.  Living in the Now can mean many things to us all, but to me it means the story of the good china. I grew up hearing and seeing this story unfold. My grandparents had their “everyday dishes” and the good china. They kept that special occasion china on display in the dining room buffet. It was a shrine to the achievement my grandparents had accomplished in saving and acquiring them. My grandmother had eyed them in Macy’s and spent a long time considering the cost of their extravagance. She brought them home like a new child but one that would never be loved just admired from a safe distance. Holidays and birthdays would come and I would ask if we were using the good china but my grandmother just was waiting for that special occasion. My grandparents worked very hard their whole life and saved everything for the day they would need or enjoy the fruit of this effort. Then my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and died never using her china.

Everyone has their good china in a sense. It may not be actual dishware but something idealized and held out for that special time or use. Maybe it’s that expensive handbag you finally got but are worried about using? Or the lovely jewelry left by a beloved parent you’re afraid to wear and use.  For others it could be that trip to Europe or Alaska they will take when they retire and put off because other things seem more important. The take away for me was that we need to use our good china. We need to enjoy every moment with joy and wonder. This does not mean we should be cavalier or irresponsible but live in the now. We are not entitled to anything beyond the joy we find ourselves.We turn on the news and it’s sad. Life often seems to be a hamster wheel of work and burdensome responsibility. It has become increasingly more important to Live in the Now but and learning how to do that can be challenging. Don’t dwell on the negative as nothing good will come of this activity. Try and find the positive even if it’s your ability to navigate and survive a bad event or situation.

This seems like a simple list but what does it really mean? Make time every day for a chat with a dear friend or tell people you love you do love them. Say nice things to the cashier at the checkout. Show others their value with your time, kindness or patience. Take a long walk with your significant other and leave your cell at home. Talk to each other and notice your surroundings,you will see amazing things if you look. Smiling is healthy so try to find ways to be happier and share that happiness. This is a bit challenging as we often are too busy to actually feel happy. Look for happiness in your life -it’s there you just have to embrace it.

Don’t put off today all the fun wonderful things you plan for tomorrow as nothing in life is promised beyond the wonder of now.