This is a little embarrassing to admit, but recently I found myself downloading some songs from my 10-year-old daughter's ipod onto mine.  She has an eclectic little collection of music that includes everything from Hannah Montana to Mumford and Sons.  I think my favorite song on my new playlist is "Tonight, Tonight" by Hot Chelle Rae.

I'm sure you have heard it.  Snappy little tune, the chorus of which goes, "La la la, whatever, la la la, doesn't matter, la la la, oh well, la la la."  Originally I told myself I liked it for the energy of the music, but this week it has dawned on me that I find the lyrics appealing and liberating. 

Granted, I think the main point of the song is about partying tonight without worrying about the consequences tomorrow... perhaps not the most responsible of messages.  But looking at the message in a more positive light, lately I have been contemplating my need to learn to be present in the moment without missing what is happening right now because I am too busy worrying about what's happening next. 

As an event coordinator, I often comment that my life passes by months at a time depending on how far down the road the next event is.  Often times I have three or four or more events coming up in succession.  (Right now, for example, we have the Richter/Uzur concert on February 4th, the Valentine's acitivty night on February 10th, T Minus Five on March 10th, and the big Chili Cook Off on March 31st!)

I find I have carried this over into other parts of my life.  When I am swimming laps, instead of focusing on how my body feels in the water, I am thinking about what I need to accomplish later in the afternoon.  When listening to my sweet daughter talk about her day, I find my mind wandering to what she needs in preparation for school the next day.  And every mother who reads this can relate to the constant LIST of the next load of laundry to be done, the next meal that needs to be cooked, the next shopping trip, and on and on.

But you know, when I am 80 years old and looking back on my life, I am never going to have regrets about, "I wish I had gotten one more load of laundry done.  I wish I had planned one more menu. I wish I had attended one more meeting and taken one more page of notes..."

No, the regrets, if any, are going to come from not being present, in the moment, enjoying my life, my family, my community, my activities.  I want to learn how to better do that this year.

And I want the Event Center to be a place where you can do that, too... a place where you can attend rich, fun, quality events with your friends and family that allow you to shut everything else out and be in the moment.  You deserve it.  We deserve it. 

So, if you see me around town, ask me how I am doing at being present... remind me to enjoy the moment.  And I'll do the same for you.

In the meantime, I am going to crank up Hot Chelle Rae and dance around the livingroom with my daughter!