Live in the moment and enjoy the small things in life. That’s what my father said whenever I came to him with worries about what the future holds for me. Over the past few years I’ve asked him about several conflicts in my life, similar to a floor with “tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up . . . .” One big thought was that some of the highs of life life now aren’t always going to be there. To that he told me not to focus too much on the future but instead to focus on living in the moment and enjoying the small details in our lives. 

Think of a small pastime that you would do as a kid, such as playing I Spy with a friend, or a sibling. That kind of game made you really look at and observe your surroundings. Nowadays, some people say “how remarkable it is that children notice these things” when all that it requires is for them to look around and note something nice they see like a shade of blue on a passing car. That way you’ll be able to fully cherish what’s around you without having the gloom of concerns be storm clouds in your daily life. 

Having hobbies or small pastimes is another way that one might live in the moment. There once was a random phone booth in the middle of the Mojave Desert that anyone could call and just have a small discussion with a stranger. Callers would share their life story and generally try to get to know the person on the other end of the line. It was a small but positive act that didn’t take much to do yet could easily brighten up your day. 

Doing these small activities can help you keep your mind off of any worries or conflicts that you may be dealing with. You might not have any problems right now, but life isn’t a “crystal stair,” and you don’t know what could happen.