“What’s important *now*?” is the question that will most ground you when life is feeling hard, overwhelming, or just “too much.”
This morning came too soon, after I was up with a sick child after already going to bed much later than was ideal. (May is, after all, the new December! 😳) My husband’s away, so tagging out was not an option. (My hat is off to so many of you who parent solo 24/7!)
So this morning, I needed to swim through fatigue and find my way back to being fully present—my kairos moment, here and now. And this is what I came to: I need time to read and sip coffee on my front porch.
My dog and I got a much shorter walk, but a long walk did not feel nearly as important as going treasure hunting in the pages of these books.
I set a timer and let myself be fully present to the singing birds, neighbors on their morning walks, sounds from the construction zone down the street, lawnmower up and running first thing a few doors down, strong (decaf) coffee in my mug, pages of my books, and smooth feel of the highlighter in my hand. When ideas came that tried to take me away from this here and now (the email I need to send, appointments I need to make or cancel, paper I need to work on for class, thoughts for the coaching calls I have later today, and even this Instagram post), I jotted it down on my “for later” list then got back to my books. The other things will get done, but by putting them in their place (“Later”), I could be fully present to what I’ve recognized is what I most need here and now.
“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” (Socrates)
Getting a lot done is not the same as being busy.
I get a lot done.
But, increasingly and with much intention, I’m very rarely “busy” these days. It’s an important distinction.
Grateful to Greg McKeown’s work in his books Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less and Effortless: Make it Easier to Do What Matters Most, and to Mike Garrison for recommending them.
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