How To Tune Into Gratitude For The ‘Here and Now’

I’m writing to you from Croatia! 🙂 I hope you had a great Fourth of July and a relaxing weekend!

I had the most magical birthday. I received hundreds of heartfelt birthday wishes, which I had to read later, because I had only a few minutes of access to wi-fi (of course, that in itself was a gift).

My boys and I spent two amazing days on the coast – in a tiny, tiny village built in a small bay of the island Pag. The sea was calm and warm, just enough of a gentle breeze to keep us comfortable on those hot summer days, and people were incredibly relaxed.

Yes, life is challenging in Croatia (the economy is not great) but there was no sense of stress or overwhelm or even complaining. And that’s because Croatian people hold their vacation time sacred.

They know that a vacation is their chance for a physical, mental and emotional renewal, a detox from daily stress, worry and anxiety, and they make sure they use it wisely.

There is this common agreement that a vacation – at the sea or in the mountains – is not a luxury or a privilege but a part of health care. (Can we please work on that in America?)

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At first we were planning to go from Venice (where we landed) straight to my mom’s home in Zagreb. But the coast was closer, and my best friend (who came to pick us up) suggested we go to the Island with her. My mom, who wanted nothing more than to hug my boys and me as soon as possible, said: “Don’t even think about it. The boys and you need the salt air and sea water.”

So we swam, and we sat over cups of creamy delicious cappuccino for a long time. I also lay on the beach and watched the diamonds on the water.

I smiled as I became aware of how different my life is right now. I used to watch these diamonds and feel sad because I no longer was there with someone who was gone from my life. Or I’d imagine some time in the future when my life would be ‘better’ and I’d return to this place to enjoy it. This is exactly how thoughts of the past and future rob us from the gifts and blessings we get to enjoy in each moment.

I was grateful that I am now able to stay in the gratitude of the ‘here and now’ moment (believe me, it took a lot of practice!) – the two days we got to spend in such presence of gratitude and grace was so renewing!

If you have Instagram or Facebook, check out the video I did about this subject – and you’ll also see our pictures from the trip!

Tatiana “Tajci” Cameron is an award-winning music artist, published author, inspirational speaker, and certified transformational and spiritual life coach.

She has many passions and is dedicated to helping others while also creating an enriched life for herself and her three sons. When Tajci is not on the road performing gigs, she volunteers with local organizations dear to her heart, spends time with loved ones (often involving music!), and collaborates with other artists to bring creative projects to life.

Tajci’s most recent projects include a meditation CD, an annual retreat & sea cruise in Croatia (that she organizes and hosts), and a multimedia CD/book (Un)Broken: Songs My Father Taught Me.

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