Gifts of the Present – December 3, 2017
We’ve passed through another Thanksgiving. Another spectacular opportunity to stand still and say THANK YOU to people and places and the universe – and the many ways our lives have been touched, colored, impacted. I hope you took full advantage, and I’ll nudge you to keep that spirit alive long after the traditional activities of the day have been eaten up, or packed up, and put away until next year.
I had many “extra” things to be grateful for this year. One of them came in a bittersweet manner. The journey of my 10-year-old Border Collie, Emily, took a twisted turn a few months ago, after a medical diagnosis that spelled “trouble”. As her humans, we decided to be brave and bold and watchful and attentive and caring, doing the best we could for her along the way. A friend of mine helped me remember that “dogs live in the moment” and that was one of the greatest gifts Emily brought to us.
Living in the moment can be easily overlooked, unfortunately. As we get all riled up with the news, the world, what’s hot, what’s not, what’s missing, what’s not perfect, pining for what we think we want or need to make us happy. Oye! We gotta let that stuff go, baby.
“It’s about realizing what makes our lives meaningful is not what we accomplish, but how deeply and honestly we connect with the people in our lives, how wholly we give ourselves to the making of a better world, through kindness and courage.” ~ Shauna Niequist
Knowing that Emily’s days were growing shorter and shorter had me sad, and anxious, and holy buckets. How was that honoring Emily’s goofball spirit and wagging tail and desire to go romp on the trails, jump through hula hoops, splash in the river, #WillWorkForTreats? It wasn’t, surely.
So, on her last day, I looked for all the ways to let her superhero persona shift into whatever gear it wanted to. It was a treasure to be her sidekick, her muse, her companion. To live in the moment with her. I’m humbled and grateful.
As you move through each day, look for ways to live more in the moment. To let go. To support and encourage someone on their journey. To quietly slip into the phone booth and shift into your own superhero persona suit, and emerge with more focus, more energy, more determination. More compassion. More kindness. More courage.
Are you ready to live in the moment?
Grab some fantabulous inspiration from others who have let go of fears and anxiety and took their leap of faith.