I remember saying the same simple prayer as a child before I went to sleep, “ God I thank you for my mother, grandmother, little sister and brothers.  I thank you for the clothes on my back.  The food you put on the table and the roof over my head. Amen” 

As a little girl, I was grateful for my family, the gift of being alive, taken care of and loved by God. But somewhere along my path, life, food, shelter and love was not enough, I wanted more. I couldn’t appreciate what was in front of me because my attention was focused on what I lacked.

There is a quote I love by Deepak Chopra,  “The past is history, the future a mystery and this moment is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”  Every moment that I am alive and breathing is a blessing. Life is God’s gift. The present moment is God’s gift.

So I’ve decided to be grateful for the present moment because it is the “space” where I can appreciate God’s blessings.

Inspired by Don Miguel Ruiz’s book, The Four Agreements, I decided to create my own agreements. It is my goal to be mindful of each agreement for thirty days so that they will become an unconscious habit.

First Agreement: The most important person in my life is the person I am talking to right now.  I will not judge, criticize or complain about what they are saying or doing.  I will send them loving energy and be grateful for just being in their presence. I will not think about the fifty million things I need to be doing. I will not check my email or social media. I will give that person my complete attention. 

Second Agreement: The most important thing that I am doing is right now.  I will not complain or wish that I were doing something other than what I am doing.  I will love, play and simply enjoy the moment.

Third Agreement: The most important action I can take in this moment is one of self-love.  I will love myself even when I make a mistake. I will focus on the positive. I will celebrate my accomplishments big or small. I will be grateful for being me.