How much is the present worth?

I’m in the Ardennes. It’s raining. I planned this weekend getaway me time some weeks ago. I’m stranded in my hotel room and the question that came to my mind not once is: why did I pay 200 euro, for something I can have totally free home?

Now the question is misleading from the start. First of all, I wouldn’t have the same experience being home. I’d probably find millions of excuses to do other stuff then me stuff. Secondly, it’s tricky to put a price tag on what is actually unfolding. So what is it?

Honestly, I feel happy it’s raining and I’m stuck here. I’m sleeping like a new born, catching up on my reading, thinking of things I resisted for some time and doing stuff I’ve been avoiding. Yet again, I also feel impatient and anxious.

One of the things I’ve been avoiding is staying in the present moment. Yup, I know, its sounds silly, but try, it’s not easy. Now I’m breathing steadily, thinking what next to write, hearing the raindrops and noticing I’m slightly thirsty. There is something really comforting in being in the now, it takes a lot of focus and effort. Equally now is the only moment we are alive. There is something vibrate in taking in the present with all senses and awareness.

The hard part is that our mind is programmed to wonder and while enjoying the present I suddenly catch it dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. This is the anxious and impatient part. I’m thinking about last Thursday, when I had an unexpected evening, and what did the people I spend it with think, did they like it. And then jumping to Monday, when I’ll be driving to Strasbourg, worrying about work, tasks and meetings. All this is imagination, make-believe, non-existing, yet it creates such strong and real feelings.

I suppose being here and now is like exercising a muscle, takes time. In that case I'll end with the weather forcast. Tomorrow will also rain.

P.S. I'm not sure how the picture fits the text, just have a feeling somehow it does.