by Emese Tuza

Created on: February 11, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Everybody I know is very busy. Busy with life, running around, and planning activities for weeks in advance. How does one find time for the simple pleasures of life to enjoy today? A few weeks ago we painted our dining room red. It was a decision that my husband and I debated for a long time, worrying about the color turning or not turning out perfectly. Finally, we decided that it was just paint, after all, which can be easily fixed. The preparation included moving all the furniture out of the way, including our china cabinet. Upon unpacking the cabinet, I looked at all the beautiful china we never use, and had an "a-ha" moment. What if that night, we dressed in our best clothes and had a fancy dress up dinner, complete with expensive china, silver cutlery and crystal glasses?

Though the family wasn't sure what to think of this idea at first, the dinner was a huge hit. My son laughed as he ate his pizza from the bone china plate and sipped his milk from a champagne flute. Looking at his grinning face made me pause. It seemed we were too protective of our possessions, saving them for what exactly? Now we repeat the black tie dinner monthly, saving nothing for later, putting a permanent end to the term "good china".

If there's one thing we learned since that fateful day in September, 2001 is that life is too short and one never knows when it might end. The joy of today is to enjoy every moment of it. We have slowed down with our activities and try not to overload the kids with after-school activities either. Cooking together more and eating out less makes us appreciate each other more. While we carefully plan our retirement "some day", we try not to dwell on it too much and live in the today. Is it too cold outside? Wear a scarf and enjoy its softness around your neck. Are you stuck in traffic? Pay it forward and let another driver in front of you when he least suspects it. The dog is waiting for you at the door? Pet him and take him for a walk. Breath the air, enjoy the sunshine, love your family and feel alive.

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