Do you ever find that you can’t seem to calm your racing mind when everything around you feels hectic?

Or catch yourself getting stuck on something small bothering you—even when everything around you is calm and good?

That anxious feeling sneaks in, stealing your sense of peace.

And instead of being present in the moment, you feel distracted. On edge.

Missing the joy that’s right in front of you.

This morning I was sitting by the lake at the cabin, drinking my morning coffee and watching the sun rise.

The water was calm and still, with a perfect reflection of the clouds.

It should have felt peaceful and enjoyable. Most lake mornings do.

But today, my attention kept going back to the dock.

It’s crooked and uneven. And while that might not bother most people, it really gets to me.

I like things straight. Clean lines. A sense of order.

And the more I looked at it, the more annoyed I felt that it wasn’t fixed.

It was just a small thing, but sometimes it’s the small things that quietly chip away at our peace.

But it wasn’t the dock that was the real problem. It was where my attention was going.

I could have been focusing on the stillness of the water, the soft glow of the morning sun, the quiet.

Thinking about my goals or appreciating that this is how I got to start my day.

But instead, I was focused on the one thing that was bothering me.

Then, to add to it, I started being hard on myself, thinking, “I should be grateful right now. What’s wrong with me? It’s beautiful here.”

Piling guilt on top of a bad moment never helps any of us.

I’ve been here before. I noticed what was happening, took a deep breath, and reminded myself…

It’s okay that I feel a little unsettled. And it’s okay to let that go.

I put my attention back on the present moment and more helpful thoughts.

And just like that, I could feel my mind settle.

It used to be very hard for me to calm my mind and be present. But today? It can happen pretty quickly.

That’s the power of training your attention. Learning how to be more present in the moment.

Not to be perfect. Not to feel calm all the time.

But to be able to come back to center.

This comes with practicing mindfulness—and it’s a muscle you can build.

Mindfulness is a particular way to pay attention, moment by moment, in an open and non-judgmental way.

And our emotions—or that anxious feeling—are the cue to pay attention. Chances are, your thoughts are focused in an unhelpful way.

Our attention is like a flashlight. Whatever we shine it on, we experience more.

You see, the present moment is all there is, yet most people often pay very little attention to it.

As you learn to calm your mind and be more present in the moment, while turning down the volume on the worry, guilt, and overthinking…

You’ll free up so much time and mental energy for the moments that matter more.

And you’ll slow things down, feel less anxious, and experience the joy in front of you—instead of rushing through or missing it.

Sometimes the real balance we need isn’t just in our calendars or our lives—it’s in our minds.

Whether it’s a conversation you’re replaying, something you took personally, or an unfinished to-do nagging at you, learning to focus your attention in the present moment can be a game-changer.

Finally, the question I’ll leave you with today…

What’s one everyday moment you could slow down and be more present for today?

And if something small is stealing your peace too, remember, you choose where you shine your flashlight.

“Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do if you stay in the present moment.” — Deepak Chopra

Enjoy your weekend. I’m here cheering you on!