We often deny the present for thoughts of the past or hopes of the future, failing to realize that there is no greater gift than the NOW. It is the present that truly provides us with an opportunity to take note of all that we have created in our lives. Each day we are awarded with the power to choose where we want to go. What is the next step that we wish to take to create the life that we desire? There is no better place to be than where we are at this very moment.

Take some time today to truly appreciate this day. Consider all of the gifts and blessings in your life and all that you have been able to learn. Acknowledge the perfection of your life to date—knowing that even if things haven’t gone as you hoped, each experience (however uncomfortable) provided greater wisdom and clarity for the days ahead. Sometimes the greatest path to clarity is the experience of what you don’t want (so that you may be clear about what you do want instead). It all works together for good, should you allow it to do so.

Success or sabotage? Keeping both feet in the past and your eyes on the future prevents you from fully appreciating the beauty of today. Don’t cheat yourself out of the gift.

Is this going to be an incredible day? Stop, look around you, and notice all of the beauty that surrounds you, realizing that this day will never come again.