How important is it to stop and recognize the majesty of the world around you? By simply being in the moment, you open yourself up to new learning. The following is a real life story that my wife shared with me after a trip she took to Maui for a few days last October. She was there for two reasons: to take a short break from her life as a busy mom and wife, and to go to a Dr. Wayne Dyer event and see in person the man whose writing has had a significant impact on her life.

This story is taken directly from her journal with her permission.

~ October 27th, 2008.

I sit on this beach in awe of its beauty. God resides here and in so many other places!

Half an hour ago, I saw a woman walk by with a lei in her hand. I thought, "why isn't she wearing it? I didn't receive a lei since I arrive [which is often customary upon arrival to hotels in Hawaii] -- she has one and yet isn't wearing it." A little while later, I decided to walk along the beach -- in the same direction as the woman had gone earlier. In a moment, a wave came up and what did I see before me? A beautiful Hawaiian lei. I didn't think of the woman at first. I thought, "wow, I wished for a lei and the ocean brought it to me! I am so connected today, what a wonder." I picked up the lei and it was covered in sand and wet. I began walking with it by my side, just as the woman had done earlier. As I walked, I approached an area where several people were snorkelling. A woman retreated from the water and we got into a conversation about the wonderful sealife she had just encountered underneath. This woman was extremely kind and gentle, no doubt a wonderful person. After talking for awhile, I told her about the lei, how I wished for one and the next thing I knew, one showed up on the beach. She said, "your angels are with you today." I liked that thought. As I headed back to where I had walked from, still holding the lei in my hand so it would dry, I thought of the woman who had walked by earlier. It finally dawned on me. That's why she held it in her hand! It was wet! I probably found the exact one she had carried, the exact one that I was looking at when I was wishing for my own!

In thinking what a special moment this was, I decided to try to capture the moment by taking photos of the lei on the beach as though it had just shown up with a wave. I put it down, where I knew the waves would eventually reach it, and attempted to photograph the lei as the water splashed over it. My initial attempts didn't satisfy me, so I brought the lei a little closer to the water. In a moment, a wave rolled in, picked it up and carried it back out to the ocean. NO ATTACHMENTS! (Although, I do have photos!)

I hope someone else finds that lei today and sees the significance of it. Perhaps the snorkelling woman will find it and think "my angels are with me today."

Lessons: Ask and you shall receive, God is always with you, attach yourself to nothing, and BE HERE NOW~