As I was walking my little Pomeranian the other morning, I was thinking of the things I needed to do today, and about my future. Then I realized I wasn't appreciating the sounds of the birds singing, the smell of the recently cut grass, the coolness of the early morning air, and the beauty of the marvelous creation all around me.

In The Color Purple, Shug said it makes God angry if you walk by the color purple in a field and don't notice it. I don't know about that, but how often do we live in the future or in the past, and fail to appreciate and live in the present? How often do we worry when it's time to rejoice? How often do we mourn when it's time to dance? To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4).

Solomon also said, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Maybe this could include walking the dog and paying attention to the sights, sounds, and smells, and the feeling of the cool early morning air.  

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34, New International Version).

Do what you're doing in the present because you won't get this day, this hour, this minute, back. And be thankful for the little things and for the blessings in your life right now.