Ever notice that we rush through our days with so much to do, so much we think we should be doing, so much we think we’re missing out on? How often do we give the proper time and attention to the moment we’re in?

This truly is one of my biggest faults, and I suspect it’s actually pretty common for most people. It’s one of the things I’m trying hard to conquer.

The Moment We’re In

When I’m at work, I’m often trying to quickly get through a task so I can move on to the next. Or simply staring at the clock, anxious to leave for the day.

When I’m at home, I’m trying to get necessary tasks done quickly around the house, so I can be out in my garden, or reading.

When I am helping my mother with her needs I am often frustrated, because I have so many other things to get done that are on my mind. The list is endless.

How often in life do we neglect giving our full focus and attention to what we’re doing in the moment of time we’re in? Often, I’ll bet.

The more virtuous way would be to give of ourselves to what we are called to do.

At. That. Moment.

Learning to Appreciate and Fully Be in the Moment

We can always try to find something to be grateful about during the moment we’re in. If we’re around someone we love, we can enjoy that. If we’re doing something that is providing charity to another, we can be thankful for that. If we’re simply home and secure, we can be grateful.

But what if we don’t like where we are at that moment?

This is when we are provided the perfect opportunity to offer self-surrender and sacrifice for others, and most importantly, to God. People without peace in their souls are often that way because they do not care to let God manage their lives. Instead, they’re always fighting to figure things out on their own, to do what they want to do, how they want it done, when they want it done.

It’s here that you and I are given an opportunity to forget self and find something far greater. The opportunity to let God guide us in what your life should be each day. And no offering can ever please God as the greatest gift of all – our Will.

Instead of constantly looking at the clock, wondering how much longer we will be stuck in the current task, now we have the opportunity to simply give our “all” to the moment, to the task at hand, the moment that God has put in front of us at that exact time and place. And by doing it with as much determination and joy as possible, what may have at first seemed displeasing may even in the end be rewarding, because we’re doing it out of duty or charity, but most importantly, for the love of God.

It’s when we do everything for ourselves that we lose our peace and become selfish; and selfish motives never bring us happiness.

The most virtuous thing we can do, then, is to place our life in God’s hands, and let Him direct our daily life as He wills it. This we can do with patience, understanding, generosity and unselfishness in our daily activities.

So, the next time you want to get something done quickly so you can move on to what you want to do, stop for a moment and realize that the moment you’re in is the exact moment that God has given you. It’s your opportunity to want to do that task, and to do it as well as you possibly can. It’s your opportunity to please God, simply by giving your all to the task He has given you.

The more perfectly you can give of yourself to the moment you’re in, the more perfectly you will find peace, a true union with God, and happiness.

And who doesn’t want that?

Originally published at growinvirtue.com. Used by permission.