How to live more consciously

I spent a lot of time this weekend with 3 people. None of them spoke in a language I could understand, but they were all so cute that we didn't need words. Spending time with children, especially children a year old or younger is an automatic way to live more consciously. Keeping an eye on them to make sure they don't get hurt, making them laugh, or feeding them brings all of your attention solely into that moment. All you're thinking about is how to make them laugh and smile, how to get them to stop crying, or how amazing they are to watch as they interact with a new object. I sort of ignored the rest of the family around me...I'm usually frustrated by their inquisitiveness, criticalness, and judgmental comments about my life. But when little 1 year olds who can't walk yet are giggling as you push them on their swings or laughing as you make faces at them or giggling when you tickle them grown up adults (and their drama) that have lost their sense of childish wonderment fall to the background. What was really amazing to observe were how their instincts came into play. 2 of the 3 children were twins. When one of them started drinking their milk the other one went and to grab the bottle away from the first and start drinking and then a mini-fight would ensue with each in pursuit of the bottle. Already at 1 it is clear which one is more dominant. And I understand why parents say I wish I could freeze time and they could be this age forever. Plus when a cute little one year old in a white dress with flowers falls asleep as you're holding her and you end up sitting down with her asleep on you for hours it is a perfect moment (made less complicated and more appreciated due to the fact that I did not have the worry and concern that a parent would have since I'm her aunt and not her mom).