Someone sent me this message to assist me as I was having trouble staying in the moment and getting through my work day. Maybe it will be helpful to others too.

Please note, this is not exerpted from conference approved literature.

"Take pleasure in everything you do.

I know how hard you work.  I know how hard you try.  I know how much it
means to you to do well, to achieve, both in your personal life and in the
spiritual, on the earthly plane and on the one above.  You struggle, you try
you work.

There are ways, in the midst of your duties and struggles, to make a deep
connection with your work.  And this does not have to be noble work.  It can
be any activity you are performing, no matter how seemingly trivial.  It is
still possible to dip down into the flow, to allow yourself to become deeply
engaged in whatever it is you are doing. 

Stop for a moment and take a deep breath.  Look up from your work and
release the tension which is built up by your concern for the looming
deadline, the pressure your boss has put upon you, the pressure of bills
coming due.  Stand up and stretch, shaking out your tensions.  Let your
shoulders relax.  Let your jaw relax.  Consciously release the muscles in
your face.
 
Then take another deep breath and return to your task with a relaxed and
open point of view.  Forget the deadlines.  Forget the pressure.  Release
your annoyance that you must do this task, your frustration with other
people that led you to this situation.  Release your boredom with the
repetition of your task.  Release all of that. 

And now, simply allow yourself to enjoy it.  Allow yourself to take pleasure
in the doing of this one thing that you are doing.  See the patterns that
the dirt makes as you sweep the floor.  See how the light glistens off the
water as it pours into the sink.  Enjoy how your mind clicks along as you
look at the numbers.  Appreciate how your handwriting glides across the
paper as you write out that check.  Hear the click of the keys as your
fingers move across the computer keyboard.  Truly immerse yourself.  Enjoy
it.  Take pleasure in whatever it is you are doing.  Right now.  Right here.
This moment.

This is your life and this moment is a part of that life.  Take a walk.
Breathe deeply and let yourself live with joy and connection.  Right now.

Here is a little prayer for today

I enjoy my life, every moment of it, no matter what.  I take great pleasure
in everything that I do.

I am open to the things and the people around me and I deal with life just
as it is, right now.

I am relaxed and confident.  I am full of belief in myself.  I am aware that
I am surrounded by help and I fill this moment with gratitude.

I am present, right now.  I am."
 

Emmie,

Thanks for sharing this Awesome post. I actually just did this while vacuuming kitty hair off of the cushions :) The sound of the vacuum was pretty relaxing too and it was a joy to watch the kitten play with the cushions while I was vacuuming. Since I am not able to work a job now, I try to find gratitude in the small things my health still offers me to do. cdb :)

Emmie, Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes the greatest joys are from the simplest things. Remember the old Shaker saying? Tis' the gift to be simple. Tis' the gift to be free... So true. Wether things are CAL or not, if it works for you - go for it! Live strong, Karilynn

Emmie~

Thanks for the post.  I really need to stay in the present right now, at least some wise person recently suggested that, and I do agree!

Sometimes it is hard to see all the beauty through the fog but your post did help me remember the little things.  I am going to look at all the little things tomorrow and try to see all the good in them.

Thanks for the reminder!

Sandie1

Thank you for sharing, I am having a difficult time staying in the present....I will print this out and read it a couple times....

Hugs Mary

Thank you, Emmie. Great post..wonderful reminder!