Yesterday....Saturday....I went to my friends for my usual Saturday morning meditation.  I had taken friday off from work (which ended up being busier than if I had been at work - good grief) and saturday I had quite a bit to do as well.  I knew it would be a busy day...I was having friends over for dinner...errands to run and I found myself gearing up. So my intention was to try and manage things a little differently.  When I got to the sit and was settled in my chair I took a moment to check in with myself.  I was antsy.  So for the first 30 minutes I followed my breath....in...out.....just breathing....letting the thoughts go...back to the breath.  Noticing the silence....back to the breath.  We do a short walking meditation.  I have chronic tendinitis in my foot and leg pain....so I really focused my attention on what that was like.  Painful to start, noticing the changes as we continued.  The ebb and flow of chronic pain.  Even in that short time how much it changes.  How helpful it is to breathe into it.  (My massage therapist would be darn proud of me!!    :-)  )  After walking, we sat for another 30 minutes.  I did a body scan and found a lot of tension...maybe tiredness...at the base of my skull.  That is where I stayed.  Initially I was really focusing on wanting the tension gone...the more I wanted it gone...the more it kind of went....good luck with that.  So another breath and just be with it....noticing what it felt like and how it changed...just with me sitting with it.  Breathing into it.....noticing me holding my shoulders up....letting them relax.   It was really helpful.  It is interesting when you are paying attention and let yourself relax....and just breath.  Impermanence.  Everything changes.

Then...I had a few errands before going home.  I was stopped at a red light and I looked across the intersection.....and in another car was a cute little dog.  He had his face out the window...waiting for the breeze when the car started to go.  He was waiting....waiting...and then you could see him look at the driver...like...hey...come on...when are we gonna go.....and back out the window his little face went.  I am sitting there with a big grin on my face.  It was a beautiful day...sun shining....it was plus 2C....and this little guy was gonna make the most of his day....his car ride.  The light turned green and they are going and his ears are flappin in the wind.  What a delight!  He made me smile and reminded me of all the little things...right in front of me....everyday....that a lot of the time I am walking right by because I am soooooo busy.  Present moment.....beautiful moment.