Did you know that approximately 80% of the "door close" buttons on elevators aren't even wired.  How many times have you pushed this button impatiently only to get no results.  This made me ponder how much of our life we waste doing things that are so futile.

When you get to the end of your life, what will you remember?  Chances are it won't be how much time you wasted waiting for the door to close in elevators.  It will be the relationships you had, the memories you created with loved ones, the struggles and joy of life.  I doubt you'll regret the hours you didn't work or the texts you didn't send.  

By living according to our values we create a much more joyful life.  This doesn't mean it's always easy, and that's ok.  Contrary to the myth we're led to believe, things that bring us joy aren't necessarily easy.  Consider a woman who gives birth to a beautiful baby.  The months of carrying the child in utero and hours spent in delivery weren't necessarily a walk in the park, but result in immense joy the moment she holds her precious child in her arms. 

Dr. Dan Siegel who wrote the book Mindsight says:

        "It is a powerful lens through which we can understand our inner lives with more clarity, integrate the brain, and enhance our relationships with others. Mindsight is a kind of focused attention that allows us to see the internal workings of our own minds. It helps us get ourselves off of the autopilot of ingrained behaviors and habitual responses. It lets us “name and tame” the emotions we are experiencing, rather than being overwhelmed by them."

By practicing mindfulness and awareness we are able to observe but not hang on to the frustrations of daily life.  Perhaps next time you are in an elevator you can take a deep breath and practice some mindfulness while you wait for the door to close.  The button wasn't going to do you any good anyway.