I was at the gym the other day and in the middle of my favorite spin class a girl caught my eye. I’ve seen her before, and it’s always the same story. While everyone else is bopping to the music and sweating it out, she is mindlessly peddling along, with minimal effort and even less attention.
I so badly wanted to hop off my bike, walk over to her and ask, why are you here? Why did you get up this morning and put on your workout clothes? Did you simply want to check ‘workout’ off your to-do list? Or are you forgetting your reason for being here?
I didn’t of course. For all the crazy thoughts that pass though my head in a day, I’m pretty good at keeping them to myself (for the most part!) But it got me thinking….
Is it enough to show up if you’re not going to be present?
Maybe it got to me because this is something I struggle with daily: When I catch myself being distracted rather than giving my kids my attention when they get home from school. When I repeatedly check my emails while we’re enjoying family time at dinner. Or when I constantly rush from one thing to the next in the daily shuffle of our chaotic life, rather than taking the time to savor all the precious moments.
Or maybe it got to me because this was a sad week. We received news of two beautiful women, Moms, who lost their battles with cancer. Two women who’s greatest wish was for more time,… more moments. And that makes me think a lot harder about living life fully. About really being present. It reminds me that the way to get more out of life is to……
Live in the moment!
My husband is great at living in the moment. Sometimes it drives me crazy if try to get his attention or pull his focus away if I need him. But at the end of the day, he gives his all to everything and everyone, and he walks away with a true experience every time.
So that’s what I want to leave you with this week. Take time to put down that phone. Really listen to your kids. Step away from the computer and spend quality time with the people you love without being so distracted. This isn’t a new topic for any of us, but we can all use a reminder from time to time. And this is it.
You don’t necessarily need to change anything about your life to get more out of it. You simply need to be more present in the one you have!
What’s YOUR best tip for living in the moment? I hope you’ll leave a comment below, and be sure to connect with me on Facebook and Twitter. I look forward to hearing from you……
