Life can be hectic when you have important people, places, and things going on all at one time. It can come in personal projects, events, and milestones sharing space with professional projects, duties, and accomplishments. These are times when your coffee cup and calendar stay full.
Believe it or not, these are the times for which we prayed and will cherish when we look back years later and smile. We will use these to baseline how much we have accomplished, our little people have grown, or how resilient we are.
Your presence in these moments is so significant, not just mentally and physically but also emotionally. It is easy to become focused on the next thing with so much going on.
Image Credit: Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
In photography, the subject is the focus of a photo. Everything else in the background blurs in the frame of the picture. When you begin to focus on background subjects, you develop what you never intended to be the focus of your photograph. Here are some ways to intentionally be present in this season and be mindful of the moments.
Limit distractions
Silence all calls and notifications that are not emergency-related. In other words, “do not disturb” will not hurt anyone while you take time to focus. If your focus time is more than half an hour, notify those with needs that are a priority for you of your unavailability at the moment.
Game Plan
Game plan with yourself and others, the expectations for the moment. Planning prevents expectations for what you do or don’t do. Don’t just decide your presence based on your schedule but understand your capacity. Are you going to be physically, emotionally, financially, and even spiritually able to commit or be fully present in the moment? If you are not, then it is a hard “No”. Own your power to be flexible and delegate when you can, and find other solutions to being present that may not mean you are physically in attendance or engaged when you don’t need to be. Some examples are attending virtually, choosing a more private and personal dinner over a large group setting with the person of honor, or just sending a gift or unique token of celebration in your absence before the event to share your sentiments and appreciation for the invitation.
Respect your boundaries
Respect your boundaries. When you have decided you do not want or feel the need to have certain people present, respect yourself no matter what the feelings or impressions of others will be towards or about you. Those are things you cannot control. You are also not required to apologize when your decision has not impacted a person’s safety or well-being.
The Main Thing
While focusing on the moment, remember where and who needs you. If there is a lot to focus on for the moment, be selective in conversations, small talk, and even your persona space. Whatever that all means for you is perfectly fine to preserve your ability to stay in the moment.
If you are like me, I guess you are doing good in taking the time a read this blog. So, if you are reading this, take a moment to know there will be moments that happen without you. There will be things you cannot change or control, but no matter what the situation, you can always make the most of what you have by being true to who you are and honoring what others who are the most important to you need from you at the moment to the best of your ability.
