Being truly present at the family dinner!
Does so much race through your mind …
events to plan,
people to meet,
meetings to schedule,
goals to manage
that you are not able to enjoy this moment?
Do the abundant (and good) opportunities pull at every corner of your life?
Do you plan for the
vacation,
sports tournament,
family reunion,
mission project…
then … during the family event or mission project, you’ve moved on in your mind to planning the next big thing and are not truly present to fully enjoy this moment.
We have a tendency to live so much for the next goal that we are not appreciating the blessings of the present.
You know that sinking feeling when it’s the last day of summer vacation?
Or the sadness knowing that you only have one more day on your mission project?
Well… here is the joy:
you have one more day!
Live it fully!!
Important sidebar note: When disappointment does occur (and it will occasionally rise up), do not let it steal your joy for the present!
I have known high school students who did not receive an athletic college scholarship offer in their junior year. They chose to quit their sport and not play their senior year. How sad to become so overwhelmed with disappointment in the future that the present suffers??
Ok… back to the present…
The bottom line is we often give half attention to a lot of things because our minds are off planning or preparing or building something. Do plan. But then, relax.
We must focus and collect all of our “half-attentions”!
Your Turn…
Be present in the moment.
Ask: Am I attentive to the people and events around me?
Do: For a week, only do one thing at a time.
Don’t eat dinner and be mentally planning tomorrow’s meeting agenda.
Don’t talk on the phone and be flipping through the mail.
Don’t be on a conference call and also going through monthly reports.
Don’t be on the phone and be driving.
Don’t cook and be talking to your spouse or child.
Choose one. You will be more attentive to each person and more effective at each task.
When I am disciplined enough and follow through with singular focus in the present moment, I am able to better respond to questions and needs around me.
You will even be able to think through questions and concerns that can head off other potential crises.
Be attentive to the present. It’s more than yoga, meditation and chi moments. It’s regular life. You were created in the image of God with a phenomenal ability to make an impact on the world today.
So … make an impact one moment at a time and trust God with the next moment!
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)
It will open your periferal vision and enable you to more clearly see the needs around you.
It’s simply transformational!
Sharon, how did you get in my head? I am overly goal oriented at times. I am constantly trying to slow down and live in the day I’m in and not the next, Thanks for the reminder.
You crack me up, Sharon! I’m delighted that we can connect even through cyberspace!!