miami mindsetI was in Miami last week. My brother and I met. We had a brother’s weekend. I wanted to introduce him to some of my friends down there. It’s the first such brother’s weekend we’ve done alone as adults. It shocked me, actually, it’s been that long.  I see him all the time when I go back to New York, we meet for lunch, get some dinner, hang out.

This summer, he came out to LA for a couple of days. When I was in Connecticut, he came and met me. My brother’s one of the closest people in my life. I’ve loved my brother since the day he was born. We have this great relationship, but it’s funny how we haven’t been able to spend the time as adults alone.

He was leaving Sunday afternoon and I, unfortunately, made my flight Monday night. I started getting really antsy even though I was staying at a beautiful Hotel. My brother left around 2:15. All I wanted to do was leave. I wanted to go home. I wanted to be in my own bed. That angst feeling was with me all day. I took a walk on the beach and I just relaxed. I wanted to take the 5:00 flight, Sunday, I didn’t want to be there all day Monday.

I wanted to get home early. I called the airline but there were no seats.  So I thought I’m going to make the most of it– I’m going to connect back to being present. I woke up Monday morning, worked out, stretched in my room then decided to walk around. I had a wonderful day in Miami.  A lot of times we have the ‘I want to be somewhere else’ syndrome. We get anxious, we get antsy, we get uptight.

And in reality, where we are is exactly where we’re supposed to be.  We make plans with friends Friday night, we don’t want to be there any more.  We get anxious, we get antsy but we’re supposed to be there. We might be working late one night, and we’re anxious because we wanted to get into the gym but in reality we just need to give in.  It’s about giving in and being present.

Wherever you are right now is where you’re supposed to be.  Maybe you’re working, maybe you’re reading, you’re sitting home. Maybe you want to be doing something else but you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. That’s what’s beautiful about life, giving in.  Because when you give in, you become aware, you become present, and you see the opportunities around you.

Like connecting with the two women outside my hotel. Like connecting with the bartender and the waiter at the restaurant. Like walking around Monday all day long and connecting with wonderful people in Miami. Instead of thinking about what I could be doing, I gave in to where I was and that’s where the magic in life happens. When we give in to where we are, life starts to become magical because of the power of being present.  So this I want you to open up your eyes and see the beauty of all things that present themselves, to all the wonderful opportunities.