QUOTE OF THE DAY
When Life Starts to Feel Automatic
“People like to think of themselves as rational decision-makers, who think carefully about what to do before they do it. However, two-thirds of our everyday behaviors are initiated on autopilot, out of habit, rather than being consciously chosen.”
— Amanda Rebar
Yesterday, I had one of those small, unexpected moments that quietly stays with you.
IDEA OF THE DAY
A “Fish Moment” I Didn’t See Coming
While hiking with Chad, we visited Hamilton Pool Preserve.
After wandering past the grotto, we made our way to the river and paused to dip our tired feet into the cool water.
As I sat there, zoning out and taking it all in, I felt tiny pokes on my toes.
I looked down.
A few little fish had swum over, curiously investigating—gently “booping” my toes as if to ask whether I had snacks for them.
It was unexpected. Playful. Kind of magical.
And I noticed something right away:
I was completely present.
Why These Moments Feel So Different
That kind of presence doesn’t happen all the time.
Not because it’s unavailable—but because so much of our day runs on autopilot.
Our routines take over:
- Getting ready in the morning
- Driving familiar routes
- Moving through tasks without really noticing them
And while routines are helpful (they keep life moving), they can also create a quiet disconnect.
Your body is doing one thing…
Your mind is somewhere else entirely.
Replaying a conversation. Planning ahead. Revisiting the past.
A Simple Way to Come Back to the Present
So the question becomes:
How do you gently interrupt autopilot?
Not by overhauling your day.
Not by adding more to your to-do list.
Just by choosing one small moment to fully experience.
It might look like:
- Savoring your first sip of coffee without your phone
- Stepping outside and feeling the sun on your face
- Taking a slow breath at a red light
- Noticing the comfort of your bed at the end of the day
Simple. Ordinary. Easy to overlook.
But powerful when you don’t.
An Invitation
You don’t need a big, dramatic experience to feel present.
Sometimes it’s the smallest moments—the ones you almost miss—that bring you back.
So today, see if you can create one.
Your own version of a “fish moment.”
QUESTION OF THE DAY
If you were to create one “fish moment” today—something tiny yet meaningful—what might it be?
If You’re Craving More Presence in Your Life
This is often where we begin—learning how to come back to yourself in the middle of a full, fast-moving life.
You don’t have to change everything.
Sometimes, it starts with just one moment.