These past few days, I've had the opportunity to discover myself jumping from one activity to another without even thinking about it. I was attending to what I thought was everything I was supposed to be doing, but I was far from the truth. In my eagerness to fulfill each of my activities, I was neglecting to be fully present in the moments that will never return, and with the people who matter most to me.

I reflected on how I hadn't been present with my family for the past month. My daughters, in particular, are boisterous and talkative, but I hadn't talked to them as I usually do. And I remembered what I've heard from many parents throughout my life… “I work for my children.”

Even though our efforts as parents are focused on ensuring our children's well-being, we often waste precious time on activities that won't impact their lives in the way we hope. Between cell phones, binge-watching series, working overtime, and weekend cleaning, the time to truly connect with them slips away. And in a few years, we may be living in the big, beautiful house we've always dreamed of, surrounded by strangers or alone, wondering, "What did we do wrong?" Because we were supposed to have done what we were meant to do.

Balancing work, personal, and family time is becoming increasingly difficult. And we all agree that living under a bridge isn't our ideal, but I truly believe the secret is to breathe and embrace the moment.

If we're constantly rushing to the next activity, we can never savor our dinner, laugh, or simply listen attentively to those around us, give our loved ones a heartfelt hug, properly complete a task, etc., always there, but thinking about the next thing…

That's why I'm repeating myself, the same thing I've had to repeat to myself many times. “Breathe and embrace the moment.” This moment you are living will never return. Good or bad, difficult or easy, it is unique, as unique as you and all your emotions. So live them intensely, enjoy the journey, because it is also part of the satisfaction of achieving your goals and, above all, of those who share them with us.

- Elbia O. Escobar Sosa