I parked my bicycle on the cobblestone path next to my favorite coffeehouse in London and ran up the pathway. Raindrops fell from the sky as I wrapped my peacoat closer around my body to protect my leather notebook. Holding my beanie down on my head, I burst through the door and found myself in instant tranquility. The smell of coffee grounds and the sound of English accents and guitar strings enveloped my senses. Chatting with the baristas about music and art festivals in Paris, I ordered an Irish crème latte. Then I made my way over to a quaint brown couch in the dimly lit corner and sat down, watching the rain softly beat on the window pane as the sounds of Paolo Nutini filled my ears.

The next few hours consisted of listening to music and writing. The rain let up as I left my corner and went outside. As soon as I left the cafe, the clouds disappeared, the Texas heat hit my face and reality struck.

I wasn’t in London. Or Paris. I was in Flower Mound, Texas. Although rainy days, like this, spent in local coffeehouses made me feel like I was in Europe for the day, one of the many countries I hope to travel to in the future, for the time being, I was resigned to dreaming about Europe in Texas.

So after stepping outside, I made my way home. Still a little gloomy about not actually being in Europe, I decided to take the long way home. I flew down the long stretch of highway and came across a side road that led me down a little country path. That’s when the sun started to shine through the clouds, compelling me to look out my window at the scenery around me. To my right was a beautiful field of green, stretching farther than the eye could see. To my left, beautiful houses and barns. Numerous trees dotted the other side of the road. For some strange reason, that stretch of land made me realize something. It made me realize just how wonderful it is here in Texas. And how much I was missing when I was wishing I was somewhere else.

We all have dreams for the future, but sometimes we are so focused on where we want to be 10 years from now that we forget to enjoy where we are now, in the present. I for one fantasize regularly about where I envision myself in the future, whether it’s backpacking around Europe, exploring the green countrysides of Scotland or walking along the coast of New Zealand. That drive made me realize that while envisioning my adventures in the future, I was missing the adventures I could be having now.While dreaming about the rich landscapes of other countries, I was missing out on the beautiful scenery of Texas. But enjoying the beauty of my surroundings was not all I was missing out on. As I dreamt about all the experiences I would love to have in exotic places, I was taking away from fully enjoying the experiences I am having now. We have to learn to just appreciate each and every moment and where we are now before we rush into the future.

So although I enjoy the days that make me feel like I’m somewhere else, I have realized that I really enjoy where I am now – experiencing my last year of high school and being surrounded by family and friends I love.

I hope I will achieve my dreams one day, but from now on instead of being preoccupied thinking about the future, I plan on making the most of the present. Rather than living in my figmental picture of the future, I will live solely in today.