I have no doubt that each of you reading this is juggling anywhere between 1 and 17 too many things in your life. The fact of the matter is: in a frantic effort to gain control over our hectic lives our brains are constantly multitasking– thinking about what we have to do today, tomorrow, next week. While there is something to be said for being organized and productive, when we are too concerned with what’s happening 20 minutes from now we forget to enjoy what’s happening
right now.

How many of us feel empty inside? We spend our money on fleeting pleasures that never provide fulfillment– things like copious amounts of alcohol, shiny new gadgets & toys, or expensive shoes & jewelry. Don’t get me wrong, I love blowing a paycheck in an inebriated shopping spree as much as the next guy, but I enjoy it every once in a while as a spontaneous pleasure. I know it doesn’t bring true value to my life.

Similar to a drunken dumping of all my dinero, I often catch myself not being able to remember what I had for lunch yesterday. Where was I? Where was my head?
Obviously, I did not get much enjoyment out of the plants that were harvested and the animals that were killed to provide me sustenance. How unconsciously ungrateful!

It sounds silly (because chances are you’ve not tried it), but slowing down and focussing on what is wonderful at any given second will put a smile on your face and in your heart. Try this the next time you make a sandwich at home: sit down, shut off the music & TV, close your eyes, and try to detect each individual flavor in every bite. Thoroughly enjoy what you’ve just prepared.

This sounds really goofy, I know. But no need to feel embarrassed, no one is watching you do this or judging you. You don’t have to go tell people about it. I guarantee, tomorrow, you will remember exactly what was in that sandwich and, regardless of what you are doing, you will smile.

- Ches Sheridan Arms