This Is the Life

TERRY HERSHEY is an author, humorist, inspirational speaker, dad, ordained minister, golf addict, and smitten by French wine. He is the author of Sanctuary, The Power of Pause and Soul Gardening. He divides his time between designing sanctuary gardens and sharing his practice of mindfulness and savoring this life. Most days, you can find Terry out in his garden-on Vashon Island in the Puget Sound--because he believes that there is something fundamentally spiritual about dirt under your fingernails.

Before we decipher life, let us see life.Before we wish for another life, let us feel this life.Before we give in to "if only," let us listen to this moment.Before we succumb to "someday," let us inhale this day.Before we trade in this life for the life we "should" have, let us taste this life.We are born to savor life, to live in the moment. What holds us back? When we stop the noise, the distraction, the compulsion to perform, the fear of rejection, we make space to savor the power of the present moment. We carry this capacity to honor the present into every encounter and relationship, meaning that we honor the dignity that is reflected by God's goodness and grace. Every encounter, every relationship, is a place to include, invite mercy, encourage, receive, heal, reconcile, repair, say thank you, pray, celebrate, refuel, and restore.This book is an invitation to practice, to savor, the sacred present. We are called to be available. To be curious. To be alive. To be willing to be surprised by joy. To know there is power in the word enough.Ask yourself this: What will you choose to honor today?