They don't just drink their wine and say, 'That was good.' They choose their selection knowingly, pour it carefully and admire its color. Then they swirl the wine and revel in its scent. The first sip lingers in the mouth before traveling over the palate.

Wine is savored. What a wonderful word.
Life needs to be savored. That's what I want to do,
am doing more consciously. I'm savoring my life.

There's no doubt in my mind that 9/11 played a big part in my realization of the fragility of my way of life, not just my life itself. It helped me value each day of peace, not just in my personal life, but also in the lives of my family, community, and nation. I am very grateful to have peace in my life. After 9/11, I thought I'd never feel that again. I know now that it is fragile, so I am more cognizant of how wonderful it is to live without fear, free to enjoy each day fully. Time with my family and friends brings me real pleasure.

Singing in the car with my grandchildren on the way home from Carvel last week was the highlight of that day. Simple pleasures to savor. Savor!

Being part of a real team at work thrills me. Watching everyone do their own thing so well, and being happy in their work - how fortunate I am to be a part of that!

Being aware of the joy inherent in the simple, daily events in my life like enjoying ice cream and a song with children enhances the experience. Yet I know there are times when I don't stop and smell those roses. Thankfully, I do believe those moments are dwindling.

Every single day there are so many little delightful moments that can all be savored and added up to become a day, and then a life, of joy. I don't want to travel through endless opportunities for joy on automatic pilot.

We never know what is ahead, so we need to focus on this minute. Like the wine enthusiast, let's select our moments, linger over them, smell and taste each one. Let's simply savor life.

Jean Loxley-Barnard has been a writer all her life and studied both sociology and psychology at George Washington University where she earned a B.A. Her company, The Shopper, Inc., encompasses all the Loxley-Barnard family publications - The Shopper Magazines and Doctor to Doctor Magazine. She has been in the advertising, consulting and publishing business for 39 years.