SAVORING

Twenty-five years ago, when the kids were still at home and I was single-mindedly focused on money and career and being a single parent, I let my stress-filled state define and motivate me.

Now, with just as much ambition as I ever had, I rarely use adrenaline as an energy source. And I don’t sweat the small stuff the way I used to when it appeared everything was big stuff.

Ditching the constant striving has freed me up to do something I could rarely do before: stop to savor special moments. It’s an act that forces you to slow down, focus and, however briefly, appreciate.

I had two such opportunities last week.

The first was being interviewed by the superlative New York broadcast host, Audrey Adams. There I was in the studio, wearing headphones and speaking into a sponge-covered mike half the size of my head. Audrey made the interview engaging, challenging and fun, and I stopped briefly in my tracks just to acknowledge, and revel in, the deliciousness of the moment.

The second was seeing Michael Feinstein perform a history of jazz concert at Lincoln Center. I’d seen him and that performance hall on PBS countless times, but as enjoyable as that was, it doesn’t compare with the experience of hearing him live while watching the perpetual motion of Columbus Circle traffic below the giant glass window.

The older I get, the more these moments – first experienced and then remembered – fuel me more effectively than the constant striving ever did.

Is that true for you, too?   And I’m curious: What do you savor now?

For more information on the delightful Audrey Adams click here.

For more about Michael Feinstein at Lincoln Center click here.