The water sparkled with diamonds of light on a rare windless Northern California beach day. How fortunate I was to be setting up my easel and getting ready to paint. As I walked back to the car for supplies I was hit with a wave that soaked my pant legs.

Hi, I said to the mermaids. Do you have have a message for me?

Don’t waste it, they chimed. Don’t waste it don’t waste it don’t waste it.

I knew they meant don’t waste this glorious day by thinking about anything other than the moment at hand.

I thought of it later when helping a lovely client in her 40s go through her closet. We were sorting through the black yoga pants and long sweaters in undistinguished colors. The overall effect was serviceable but drab.

Don’t waste it. Don’t waste the glory of your beauty and the opportunity to let it shine. Buy something that makes you feel good and wrap yourself in beautiful colors.

“You know I feel self conscious about my thick legs,” she said, “I want to be sure I don’t attract attention to them.”

“Don’t waste energy and focus worrying about that,” I replied. “You’ll never be more beautiful than you are right now, more in your prime.”

It’s so true. Painting, getting dressed… breathing. Don’t waste it, don’t waste it don’t waste it. I’m listening to the mermaids and remembering their mantra.