My wife Diane will tell you that there was a time in my life that I was almost impossible to live with the day before I left for a performance. Everything was so focused on the upcoming event that I did not have time, emotion or energy for the moment.
I didn’t listen to what people were saying to me. I was unaware of what was going on around me. My mind had already checked out of the present and was stumbling around in the possible challenges and opportunities of the future event.
I am slowly learning to live differently, learning to savor the journey as well as anticipate the future. Here are a few steps that I have taken to maintain that balance.
- Plan further ahead.
How ironic that what keeps us from becoming obsessed with future events is to start thinking about them earlier, planning in smaller, less desperate increments so that there is time left for the moment.
- Recognize the true significance of time.
No single event is so important that it should ruin the hours and days of time that precede or follow it. Our lives are the sum total of all our moments. Believe it or not every one of them have equal value. Make the most each one.
- Embrace a future bigger than any single event.
I can only release myself from placing too much emphasis on any single project or event if my ultimate purpose is bigger than any of them. I would imagine part of the definition of faith is to trust God’s ultimate purpose for my life above all else. If NOTHING can keep me from his love and the ultimate future he has planned for me, then the only thing that really matters is the moment… this moment…. now!
[reminder] What has been your experience? [/reminder]
Comments
This is so difficult for many of us. It’s easy to live a roller coaster life–living for one “peak” experience to the next and ignoring the dips and straightaways inbetween. But just think about how much we miss living this way! Great practical steps, Ken. One of the ways to “do” number 2 is to be cultivate intentional gratitude–write down those gifts found in each day.
If there is one thing that I have figured out, God has big broad
wonderful shoulders. Stress wears us down, on the other hand giving our woes to
our Lord gives Him a chance to say, “I love you, let Me deal with it.” Remember He
has the plan, He has our backs…… and fronts….. sides….. our tops………
Ken, I’ve really been learning this lesson as of late. I’m finding ways to spend more time with my loved ones and to be present while I’m there.
For years I was so intent on planning the perfect Christmas or other holiday that I would be so stressed out I could not enjoy it. I finally realized that I was the only one that knew what “perfect” was and learned to plan more relaxed holidays that everyone could enjoy.
I feel the same way. My family is hostage when I obsess over the message that is coming, or the book I’m writing, or the event I’m planning. Great great great reminder that really if we took more little doses of time to get ready we could feel confident.
I also have added to my mantra “Blessed is He who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.” Jeremiah 17:7. It has helped!
Thanks for teaching us.
s