As we get closer to Spring Break, I find myself looking forward to a bit of time off. I am ready for a slower pace and for a little more time to rest. But, I have also found myself doing something I hate…wishing for time to pass quickly. I dislike when I catch myself wishing days of my life away so I can get to a certain time, a certain opportunity, or a certain point of success.

I think it is important for us to notice how often we are looking for more, rather than relishing in what we have been given in the amazingness of today. At times, we want the past to be changed, we want it to be more, better, or different. We might find that sometimes we catch ourselves longing for the good old days and a chance to have more time, even one day, at some period of the past. Conversely, we dream of times to come and want the future to unfold for us exactly as we expect or to happen now.

When you are longing the past to return or the future to happen now, you are ultimately neglecting today. There is no way to be fully present in what you are doing or be grateful for all you have, if you want something other than what you have the opportunity to do right now. It reminds me of the famous Bil Keane quote, “Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”

If you treat today like anything other than a gift, you are wishing your life away. All you have is what you do each day. The gifts you receive today have an expiration date, you only have them for a short time, so make the best of each day regardless of the setting, or your personal opinions on how things should come to play.

I hope everyone enjoys the weeks of Spring Break, and you cherish every minute that you have off, but as April approaches- don’t dread the end of break. The end of break will bring busier days, as it signals the start of the sprint to the end of the year, but the end of break also brings you back to the job you should love.

Regardless, enjoy your time each day. Whether that is a day at work, a day at home, or a day on vacation, it is a gift — treat it as such!

Keep learning; keep growing; keep sharing!