Here's Your Permission to Simply Be Present

Current Events
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I was thinking about all that’s on the horizon: globally, nationally, and personally. Things such as the Winter Olympics, upcoming holidays like Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday and Lent, political strife, natural disasters, trips I have planned, goals I’ve set, and down to the groceries I need for dinner tonight. The list goes on and on, and I’m sure so many of you can relate.

I was going to write a post about one of those topics, but then I thought, “No, I just want to be present in this moment.” Maybe some of you feel the same. The start of a new year has all kinds of plans, ideas, hopes, and anxieties swirling through my mind, but I’m taking a moment for stillness and just doing what’s right in front of me.

Here’s your permission to take a moment, too. And if you want to reflect on something: what’s one thing you’re grateful for right now?

I’m grateful for a 60-degree day in January! Sun warming my face as I type. :blush: :sun_with_face:

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I’m grateful I can walk and have nice places to walk through. Most people take walking for granted and I did too until the time my boyfriend couldn’t walk. I saw a different world then and how much I have and didn’t even think about. I don’t want to be the person who isn’t appreciative or even notices what I’ve been given.

I worked once for an elderly and wealthy man who lived in a condo by the lake. The time came where he needed more help and moved to the 6th floor of an expensive retirement home. Although it was his decision, he regretted the move and pined away for his lakeside condo. His health declined and they moved him to the 3rd floor where more care was available. He wasn’t happy on the 3rd floor and pined over his 6th floor unit and how great it had been.

He never once appreciated what he had until it was gone. I try to be thankful in the now.

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So many times, myself included, we travel through our everyday lives at the speed of life. We, most of us, have a routine. We stop here or there. We get stuff, we head off to work, or school, or whatever. We complete our assigned tasks. We head home. We wonder what we will eat for dinner. We miss our loved ones. We think of birthdays or Holidays coming up. We plan trips. We pay bills. For the most part, we live in our happy little bubbles.

What is the person’s name who sold us the coffee? What is your Mail Person’s name? Why is that thing there? What is this over here? Did you see that person on the corner? What were they doing? Did you know that the person who just cut you off in traffic was on their way to the Hospital? Did you see the old person on the bench? What did you miss? You would be surprised.

I started, a long time ago now, to slow down. I try to notice everything. Whenever I am dealing with someone, I notice their face. I notice their body language. I ask them, “How’s your day going?” You would be surprised how this simple question throws so many people off. Especially since I actually wait for the answer. Example? A girl named Nancy says, “That will be $9.62.” Me “Hey Nancy. How’s your day going?” Nancy stops thinking whatever she was thinking, looks at the register, looks up at me, thinks about it, then notices that I do not have my card or money ready to hand her. “Uh, OK.” Then, if the body language tells me she is happy, I tell her something fun. If tired, I say something like, “It’s almost over.” Or sad, I might even ask what’s wrong.

Nancy doesn’t know me, nor may she ever see me again, but for that moment, we connect. Someone really cares about her. She is no longer just a cashier, and I am no longer just a customer. We become two people having an actual conversation that means something.

I’m serious. Try this. Do it for a week. Especially with the people you actually see every day. Watch what happens. See what you learn. Why is that old person on the bench every day? Go ask. Say “Hi.” Did they just lose the love of their life for the past 40 years? Do they simply enjoy the fresh air? Feeding the squirrels? What is their story?

After all, we are cautioned in Hebrews 13:2

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Slow down. Stop even. Notice everything. Trust me, as I learned from experience. It can enrich our lives so much more than blind routines.

Peter

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I love this. So simple, yet so meaningful. It reminds me of this C. S. Lewis quote:

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously - no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.”

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