I recently returned from a truly magical trip to Iceland. While there, my husband and I hiked, ate wonderful food, and soaked in a different culture.

On day five of six, we ventured out to find what was described as a “hot springs river,” a body of water fed equally by glacier melt and geothermal hot springs. As a floating enthusiast, this was a must-see for me.

We hiked for an hour, mostly up, then stripped down to our bathing suits and, with an international cadre, lay ourselves down in 85-degree, crystal-clear water. It was soothing, restful, and worth every step up that mountain.

Now, upon returning home, the experience has me thinking about rewards. This excursion held a precious prize for me: I was giddy with the idea of indulging my favorite hobby in a mountain pass on a day when the temperature reached a high of 52 degrees.

But what if there is no reward at the end? What if the hard work, sacrifice, and suffering don’t lead to a payoff at the end? What then?

The challenge I’m being drawn to these days is learning to celebrate, revel in, and enjoy the middle, whether or not the reward shows up later. That means appreciating that my legs can carry me up, up, up. It means pausing to notice the change in flora as we ascend. It means standing in awe of a perfect rainbow, arcing over a series of waterfalls.

This is mindfulness. Being in the present. Letting the moment sink in, rather than flash by.

What rewards might be in the middle for you today or this week?

Will you notice them? Will you let them sink in? If you do, I’d love to hear what you find.

Diane W. Shannon is an internal medicine physician and physician coach.