text: I had a close friend tell me last weekend that she didn't think I took enough time to "smell the roses". She didn't intend to be mean, she thought it may be helpful for me to know. You know, friendship feedback.
  We had taken a walk with my dog on a path where fall was evident by the red, orange and yellow leaves that had recently scattered and covered much of the path. A typical midwest fall afternoon.
  She noticed a black cat sitting on a fallen branch a few feet away quietly staring at us. I didn't notice as I suppose my mind was busy someplace else. I joked that my dog didn't even notice so I wasn't the only one!
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  Further down I pointed out a home where I sometimes see a few horses. I love horses so I always see if I can catch a glimpse of them as I walk by. I pointed out the stalls and told her I hadn't seen the horses in quite a while. I wondered if they were still there. On our way back she spotted the cat again and one of the horses poking their head out of the stall quietly watching us and we walked by.
  I somehow managed to miss them both
  Consider how many times in a single day you may be doing the same thing. If you can't be in the moment even for the things you enjoy, then I have to ask what's the point?
  I was reminded how important it is to take at the very least 15 minutes a day to be present and focused on something that I WANT to do. Not something I have to do but something I enjoy. It may be new for you to do this and you can expect your mind to wander and go back to thoughts about what you should be doing and why you shouldn't be doing what you are. Acknowledge them and tell them to take a break, it's not their time to occupy your head space.