Enjoy the present and don't focus on the past, future

School is just around the corner.  Sorry to break that to you, but I thought you should know.  In some ways things are easier once school starts.  We all get into routines.  We basically don’t worry about what we are going to do with the kids all day.  For many of our students it is also a time of fresh beginnings; they aren’t missing any assignments and they are not yet drowning trying to figure out a difficult concept.  
At the same time, the daily naps and sleeping in late are finished.  There is not really time to binge watch anything or go away together on vacation.  I hope you were able to enjoy the free time with loved ones over the summer and know that you have a little bit of free time left before it all begins.  Make the most of it.
Some of our parents are experiencing the pain of seeing a child go off to college, or to a new job some distance away.  I know that pain.  It never really goes away but do take consolation in knowing that your relationship with your older children is filled with many joys.
I love when my children come back home, whether that be permanently or just for a visit.  I am always going to be their dad, but it is really enjoyable to have a more adult relationship with these young adults that we have raised and continue to mentor.
I think it is very important to enjoy where we are.  If it is summer vacation; enjoy that.  If it is back to school; enjoy that.  If you are actively raising little ones; enjoy that.  If your children are grown; enjoy that phase of life.  Let’s not spend our lives wishing for the past or the future.  Find joy daily in your real circumstances.  And please don’t compare your life with other people’s lives.  That is a sure way to regret.
God bless all of you whatever your life is right now!
— Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected] For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org