Lifestyle

Mindful May!

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“Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” – Dr. Seuss

As the semester comes to a close and I finish up my Junior year, I find myself thinking more and more about graduation (even though it’s still a year away)! I think about where I’ll live, where I’ll work, who I’ll meet and what I’ll do. I wonder what my life will be like… and while I’m ALL about BIG dreams, exciting goals and a healthy anticipation of the future, I’ve discovered something in the midst of it all. Sometimes it’s easy for me to forget to live in ‘the present’.

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I’m a dreamer- I’m the kind of girl who wants to travel the world, experience new cultures, meet amazing people and eat exotic foods. But right now it seems the most ‘traveling’ I do is commuting back and forth to school and driving to work. The most ‘exotic’ foods I eat are Japanese white sweet potatoes and Cara Cara oranges from Whole Foods (not that I’m complaining).  The fact is, it’s easy for me to get so caught up in the future, that I forget to live in the present. I get so lost in my dreams and aspirations, that I take for granted all that’s happening… right here, right now, at this very moment. 

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Mindfulness literally means, “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something” (according to Google). Dreams are great and goals are important, but let’s take time to be ALIVE in our own lives, to be mindful. Let’s stop living life like it’s a checklist, always waiting for the next best thing- waiting the semester to end, for graduation, for school debt to be paid off. We’re waiting to get a raise at work, to meet “the one”, to travel the world, to lose weight and get fit. We impatiently wait for the weekend to come, or summer, or Christmas, or vacation. We long to be happy. But if we keep waiting for life to be perfect, then we’ll be waiting forever and we’ll miss the beauty of the here-and-now.

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So for today’s post I’m kinda preaching to myself! My goal this month is to be mindful. Being “mindful” is so much more than just being aware of what and when and where I eat, tracking how much money I spend, being sure I get enough exercise, or even remembering to reduce, reuse, recycle. Mindfulness has layers… and this month I’m taking it deep. I’m not going to spend my efforts focusing on the future or dwelling on the past. I’m going to ‘Live in the moment!’

1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds me to, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Life may be stressful and busy… or boring and mundane. You may wish you were living somewhere else or doing something different. But for this new month of May, let’s take the time to be grateful, to appreciate all we have at this very moment. This month let’s choose to live consciously, passionately, intentionally, purposefully and mindfully.

How about you? Are you being mindful? Do you ever have a tough time being present?

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22 Comments

  • Reply Kristy @ Southern In Law

    Mindfulness really is so important! I always say to Jesse that you can dream about the future, but you also have to be thankful for the now – even when your circumstances aren’t as dreamy and wonderful as the future you think about.

    We really do need to be giving thanks in every moment – and when we look at life from the perspective of what we can be thankful for, our whole world changes because our attitude does too!

    May 1, 2016 at 8:07 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      YES!! Wise words Kristy! I love that- dreaming about the future, while being thankful for the now!! <3
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 6:20 pm
  • Reply Rach

    Someone older and wiser shared this with me when I was in high school. So I’ve always done my best to be present in the moment. I don’t ever want to look back on life and realized I wished it away always looking toward the future. There is so much beauty in the right now! Love this post, girl!

    May 2, 2016 at 2:43 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Yay for being present! And yes! I agree! SO much beauty in being present!
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 6:19 pm
  • Reply Kat

    I LOVE THIS POST!! What a special topic, especially for where you are at right now in life! I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a dreamer, but I do love that you are trying not to get too wrapped up in it. My hubby is the WORST at being present. He’s an achiever, so he’s always looking how to improve, get a leg up, or gain something in life. He’s not happy we have our 1st house [well he’s happy, but not satisfied!] he wants to fix it up, sell it, and build a new home on large land. He gets so wrapped up in future plans and dreams that I think he forgets God never promises tomorrow. He can chose to take us at any time, which is why it is SO important to be present and live each day to the fullest! Great post girlie <3

    May 2, 2016 at 5:59 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Yes yes yes!! Wise words Kat! Thanks for sharing girl!! And I totally hear ya, we need to live everyday to the fullest and steward what God has given us!
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 6:16 pm
  • Reply Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner

    It’s easy for me to get caught up in the future and forget to enjoy the present too. Good reminder for all of us!

    May 3, 2016 at 1:57 am
    • Reply Cailee

      Thanks Deborah!
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 6:14 pm
  • Reply Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

    You know what, I just adore your beautiful post titles. This is such a beautiful post. Yay for mindful Monday! πŸ™‚

    May 3, 2016 at 11:03 am
    • Reply Cailee

      Awww! Anu! You’re so sweet! Thanks love!
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 6:13 pm
  • Reply Sarah @ BucketListTummy

    Mindfulness is so understated! This is exciting, because you have so much to look forward to in the future! But I love your reminder to enjoy the present while it’s here and not look too far ahead πŸ™‚

    May 3, 2016 at 3:24 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Thanks so much Sarah! I really think it’s fun to dream, but it’s important to stay present, otherwise I miss out on the ‘here-and-now.’ Thanks girl!
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 6:06 pm
  • Reply Liv Bane

    Ahh for some reason, your posts never show up in my Bloglovin’ feed πŸ™ Love this post, Cailee! It’s so easy to get excited/scared about the future and forget about how great the present is!

    May 3, 2016 at 5:30 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      I completely agree! And oh-no!! I don’t know why! I’m on Bloglovin! Hope you can find them!
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 6:04 pm
  • Reply Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    Great post, girlfriend! Being mindful and present in the moment is something I try to live by. It’s so easy to get caught up in the big dreams, that you forget the little things and just how great the present moment is! Cheers to you and a mindful May!! <3
    P.S. Who knew Dr. Seuss was so insightful?

    May 4, 2016 at 3:20 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Hehe!! Right?? Dr. Seuss knew what’s up! LOL. And yes! Glad you agree. πŸ™‚
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 6:02 pm
  • Reply Ashley@CookNourishBliss

    It’s definitely something that I am always working on! It’s so easy to get caught up in thinking about the next thing but it really is so important to value where you are now!!

    May 4, 2016 at 9:04 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Agreed! It’s all about that happy balance!
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 6:00 pm
  • Reply Zena | Zena 'n Zaatar

    I love this post, such a good reminder. Too many times I keep getting caught up in what the next steps are, and I forget to stay present. I am constantly thinking about graduation too (except I graduate much sooner… In 2 months)!

    May 6, 2016 at 4:38 am
    • Reply Cailee

      Congrats girl!!! 2 months is so exciting!! And thank you Zena! Cheers to being present WHILE being dreamers!
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 5:58 pm
  • Reply Lucie

    I love your posts Cailee. Your life sounds so similar to my life now – eating exotic sweet potatoes and tiny african bananas from my local super market (massive lol!)….but its GOOD to dream. Its also good to try and stay present while trying to enjoy each moment of everyday too. Ive read in lots of books that setting side 30 minutes every day (or less) to write down/mindmap/plan goals and dreams is a old thing to do, so we can stay more present.

    πŸ™‚

    May 7, 2016 at 5:50 am
    • Reply Cailee

      Awww! Lucie, I just adore you! …such words of wisdom. I love to journal my dreams. And I completely agree that dreams are a really good thing! I guess it’s all about that balance of dreaming AND remaining present. Something I’m definitely working on. Thanks girl!
      xoxo Cailee!

      May 7, 2016 at 5:57 pm

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