Have you ever wondered how much life you have missed out on because you were looking at your phone? Or writing an email at home that you just need to get done? Or cruising through Facebook when you're in a room full of people? Confession: I've missed out on a lot.
I love to think that when I am with my family or friends, or even my quiet time with God, that I am always fully present. But time and time again, the buzz of my phone or the sound of an incoming email on my computer takes away my attention. The amount of times my wife has asked me to put my phone away at the dinner table is embarrassing.
What's the biggest thing that keeps you from being present? For me, it's my phone and computer. To start making a change in habits, now, when I get home from work, I put my phone in this little dish or a drawer and turn it to theDo Not Disturb mode.Then, I do my best to not go on it for at least the first hour I am home. Or, when we are hanging out with friends, I leave my phone in my jacket rather than in my pocket, so I'm not looking at it every free second I get. This is such a practical thing, but it truly makes a difference. Out of sight, out of mind.
When we aren't present with what's in front of us, we miss out. As a new dad, I am finding out more and more that it's the littlest things that make this life so beautiful. It's a new sound or face that your kid makes. The slight changes in the leaves as the season changes. It's five minutes of uninterrupted conversation, that in the grand scheme of things could help build a life-long friendship.It's keeping my eyes open to what God is teaching me and how he is working in my life. Being present will not only help you appreciate the little things in life, but also help you not miss out on the big things.
Do I still fail at this? Of course, I do. But it starts with making an intentional decision to be present. Try it and see what happens.
Last year, I attended a conference called Orange. This conference was geared toward leaders who care about kids at every life stage. The tagline of this event was "It's just a phase. So don't miss it." They talked about how a 4-year-old is only 4 for 52 weeks, and then they are NEVER a 4-year-old again. 365 days. That's all you get, and then that stage is over. Life goes by so quick. It feels like just last week my daughter was born and then, all of a sudden she's one! I don't want to miss out on her life because I'm too caught up in an email or scrolling through Facebook.
So, as we finish out 2016 and begin a new year, let's work to embrace every phase and decide to really own the art of being present. If we do, I believe our relationships will be stronger—with our family, with our friends, with God—and our view of this incredible life we have been given will be better.
