Impermanent World

Sometimes we forget that the things we worry about each day are impermanent. Then something happens to remind us. The vet called me on Friday to tell me my dog -my big 98 lb. playmate - has lyme disease. It didn't make his day bad. He was just as playful as ever. But it made me sad. He could get sick. We could lose him. Of course, we all know that dogs live a short life compared to us, but this really brought it home. How would my life be different without him? I started to miss him and he was still right next to me.

In those times, it seems that again yoga is helpful. I participated in a kids' yoga workshop this weekend that reminded me of how much I enjoy yoga because it reminds us to live in the moment. There will never be another moment like this one. Kids seem to automatically get that, but as adults we tend to become consumed with the what if question and time just flies by. If you've spent time with a child recently, you know this. They see all sorts of things we completely miss. Kids can make up a game using next to nothing (sorry Toys R Us). Look at the train in the clouds! See how those rocks look like dinosaur eggs! I can get there and back first!

I don't know how many mornings I'll wake up to a lab tongue licking my hand, watch the tail frenzy when the squirrel dares to cross the yard, or hear the bark of joy when the birds take flight. But this I know for sure. I'll never look at a tennis ball the same way again without a huge smile and every playtime now seems very sweet. Living in the moment can bring a lot of joy (and hey, it doesn't cost anything. Free can be great:)