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This morning was pretty cool.  I mean aside from the temperature.  And yes, it still gets a little nippy in the A.M., even out here in the desert.

It was cool because I got to watch my son and a bunch of other kids play baseball.

It occurred to me as I was watching, that when I am real still and in the moment, life just has this sort of magic feel to it.  It was almost as if I could feel what the players were feeling as they stepped up to the plate, took a few practice hacks, and then got ready to hit against one of their buddies.  Or as they ran to their positions and looked around at the fans in the bleachers, the guys playing the game on the field behind them, the spacious sky, the little girl that they have a crush on…

It was a good game, too.  Both teams are really talented, and the players on each team go to school together and have a nice little rivalry.  There was a lot of “trash talking” all week leading up to this morning’s showdown.

Part of the fun of it for me is remembering what it was like to play at that age (these guys are 7-9 years old),  and yes, I think that it is likely I will experience all of my sports vicariously through my boy, moving forward in life.  Although, I guess if I could find a really good over-30 league…okay, over-40 league…I might actually suit up again.  That aside, I think I am prepared to relish the moments through my son’s effort, the sounds of his laughter, the look on his face as he smacks a ball into the alley in left center, or when he runs to make a great catch.  That childlike joy that really stays with you as long as you play…

But the main reason it felt so great this morning, was because it reminded me of the awesome gift that each of us have.  The gift of life.  Standing there, down the left field line and observing the game, it all just seemed so simple to me.  And that’s what I mean when I say life has a magic feel to it.  I was literally able to focus on the baseball game and not be distracted by anything else, including and especially my own mind.   I felt at peace.  I was still rooting for my son and his team, and in fact they had a furious rally in the last inning to comeback and remain undefeated in the league, but I was able to watch it and really enjoy the moments.

Now look, I know that there are times when life is not simple at all.  There are periods of stress, pressure, urgency, even chaos that we all have to deal with.  Sometimes there are situations that arise which completely are beyond our control.  Of course we are also capable of creating our own little messes as well.

But, the good news is that each of us can still become happy and content with our lives, and our lives can be full of thankfulness and peace.  It starts with being able to recognize the moments that bring us happiness and then being completely vested in those experiences, even if only for a little while.  The more quiet you can be in those times, the better.  The more you can feel the situation rather than just observe, the better.  And in time, the accumulation of these simple moments becomes huge.  When you are aware and conscious of your life, you start to feel the joy, the essence.  And when you are able to perpetuate that, it truly becomes your life.

So, go try it out.  Start living and not just letting it all pass you by.  Find something today, or this weekend that you can really enjoy.  Something that will capture your full attention.  It doesn’t have to be a major event and it doesn’t necessarily require any monetary investment.  It can be anything…making a batch of cookies, or washing your car.  Looking at the birds in the backyard or going out for a walk around your neighborhood.  Notice the scenery of life around you.  Notice the sounds.  Really get into it.  It will be therapeutic in it’s simplicity, and exhilarating in it’s stillness.  I guarantee it.  And over the course of time, it will transform you.  In the very best way.

For me, it was an 8 o’clock baseball game on a Saturday morning.  Yep…pretty cool.