We always hear people say Live in the moment, Live life to its fullest, Live every day like it’s your last. So do any of us actually do it? Most likely we are probably caught up in whatever stories are in our heads. We’re too busy judging people and situations. We are stressing, worrying, and thinking about something that has either already happened or might happen in the future. Instead of being fully present, engaged, and listening without judgment, you are thinking about how you feel and how you’re going to respond. So why is it so important to live in the moment and what does that even mean?

I once read a story about a woman whose husband gave her a beautiful brooch as a gift. She loved it and kept it tucked away in a jewelry box. Whenever her husband would suggest she wear it, she would decline and say that it was only for very special occasions. For years that brooch sat in the jewelry box and was never worn. When the special occasion finally arose, the woman’s husband pulled out his wife’s favorite blue dress and pinned the beautiful broach onto it, so she could be buried in it.

Today I was looking at my rings. I LOVE rings! Big ones! The kind that walks into the room 10 minutes before I do. I love everything about them. I love that the stones come from the earth, how they sparkle, the meaning behind them, and the weight of them on my finger. I like to think that my 11.5ct rose quartz ring brings me lots of love and happiness and my 22.4ct lemon quartz ring brings me a ton of protection, healing, money and luck. I have quite an impressive ring collection, but I don’t wear them very often because they are big and some are very fancy, not appropriate for everyday life. I usually just save them for “special occasions”.

Today when I was getting dressed and deciding if I wanted to accessorize, I went to my rings to admire them without the intention of actually wearing one, as I didn’t plan on doing anything particularly “special” today. Then I thought about that story of the woman and her brooch, and I put on one of my biggest, most favorite rings! I decided that today, and from now on, every day is going to be a special occasion.

No one really knows what tomorrow will bring for you, me, or anyone else. Life is full of surprises, good, bad, and otherwise. I hope that if you took the time to read this, you will also take the time to stop and think about how you not only live your life, but what’s really important. How can you live a more connected, engaged, present life? How can you live in the moment?