For so long
I focussed on doing important things,
prioritizing one activity over another
and resenting ordinary, necessary tasks–
cooking, cleaning, check-ups, and paying bills.

Then, I kept company with folks even older than me.
They helped me slow down
and be present
to where I was and who I was with.
The wisdom of the mystics
took root.
Every task
can be done with the awareness
that I am doing it in God, with God
and that makes each moment a wonderful one.

Once I stopped
resenting one moment for not being as valuable as the next,
stopped accusing it of wasting my time,
peace settled in,
even awe, sometimes.

Now, when I feel anxious about how I’m spending my time,
I’m more apt to notice
that I’m worrying about what to do next.
When I notice that,
I sense You reminding me:
all I have to do is what I’m doing right now
and then do the next wonderful thing.

Breathing in. There is only the present moment.
Breathing out. It is a wonderful moment. 
—Thich Nhat Hanh

Credits and References:
“Laatste blauwtjes..” by Sylvia Sassen. Used with permission.
Present Moment, Wonderful Moment by Esther Hizsa, 2024
“Autumn is coming” by Sylvia Sassen. Used with permission.

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2024.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2024.  http://www.estherhizsa.com