Michelle, a fellow ChronicBabe, is in one the experiment, too. She sent an older photo, highlighting how often we have “be here now” moments without actually realizing it at the time. I wonder how many I’ve had? Makes you wonder how many you’ve had too, right? Michelle tells us:

I didn’t even realize it at the time, but this was one of my first “Be Here Now” experiences. You can see it in my smile, my bare feet, the way my body is positioned. It was at Portland Head Lighthouse on the coast of Maine during the summer of 2008 that my boyfriend and I decided to take a three-day excursion. The day that we visited the lighthouse, all of my worries and fears and aches and pains seemed to cease. This was a comfortable place for me, a peaceful place, despite the fact that I had never been there before. I stopped obsessing over the fight we had had last night or the long car ride that we would have tomorrow or the fact that I’d have to go back to work soon or…

I just was. I remember climbing rocks and dipping my toes in the ocean. I remember walking on a trail and talking to other travelers. By the time we left, we had unknowingly spent hours there. For a non-nature-lover like me, this was huge. I had prepared for this moment (sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat which was taken off for the photo shoot) but all I can really remember about this day was an overwhelming sense of calm.

As a chronic illness sufferer, I am often forced to live my life in moments rather than experiences since it seems like each day is never wholly “good.” But this one was. I didn’t have a migraine, despite the bright sunlight, the heat, and the humidity. I wasn’t rushing to the bathroom, cursing my IBS. It was one of the best days of my life. For once, I was just there. And I want to learn how to be here now.