Wherever you are, be there! (PART 1)

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have, that's why it is called the "present".

Happy New Year Lovelies 🎉✨, I pray 2024 is the year you mark down as the starting point of great things for you and yours🙏🏾.

2023 was a great year for me, I tried out so many new things and attained new feats. I form a big grin whenever I think back at the possibilities I encountered. I had great times, you know... high highs, but also did I have low lows and didn't see the need for trying a quarter new things I tried out.

Looking back at these moments now, I fear I had half-baked experiences with them;

I was physically having my self-care Sundays whilst mentally overthinking 'bout all the other things I could be doing at the moment.

I was physically hard-laughing with my family whilst mentally thinking of my studies or a course I should be completing at the moment.

I was physically in the arms of a loved one whilst mentally calculating hundreds of ways I could fix the bug I have with my current coding project.

Then, fixing these bugs physically whilst mentally thinking of how deep in the drain my social life is getting.

Studying physically and mentally thinking of other deadlines and worrying 'bout other cares.

Whilst this didn't feel like an issue at first, I realized it didn't give me the luxury to feel the little things during these moments, the things that really matter!

Don't get me wrong, I love my family, I love myself, I love my friends, I love learning and sharpening my skills but I realize the trick is in owning my mind, defining moments and being present, wholly!;

Having my self-care Sunday treats and singing along to Passenger's album, playing silently in the background.

Going to the beach with family and enjoying the belly-aching laughter, an aching that makes me realize; "these are the moments I live for!"

Being in the arms of my partner at sunrise, smiling at the immaculate view and an even better company.

Fixing bugs and intentionally being attentive, taking notes and researching more if needed to understand the concepts more clearly.

Studying and not having to worry 'bout other happenings.

Having night-outs with friends without being burdened by my pile of thesis waiting on the table for me...