Sitting here mezmorized by the white silent rain, that is gracefully cascading down from the seamless winter sky. This wintery miracle happens every year and yet, when it finally comes, I get just as giddy and mystified by it, as if it was the very first time I have ever experienced the delight and joy it brings. It comes so gently and covers everything with pure grace. It asks for nothing, but for us to simply behold its alluring beauty. It beckons us to slow down, wait and become aware of our availibilty to embrace the moment. Are you aware of its gentle prodding? Are you available to respond to its clarion call? Are you willing to yield to its soft wooing?

The past few weeks have been quite contemplative in nature. On the outside the scurry of the season has been pressing, but there has been an unrelenting internal pull to slow down. To “be present,” is the question that has been persistently luring in my mind for days. This simple and yet bold statement has been bleeding into everything I do.

Ok, so let’s be honest, I know that I am not the only one that as soon as they hear their phone ping or see a new alert for a message, we habitually reach for the phone to see who texted or messaged us through social media. We are like Pavlov’s dogs (metaphorically speaking, to be clear, as I am not incinuating that anyone is a dog). But like Pavlov’s dogs, society as a whole, is conditioned to respond to our wireless contraptions with a just a single ding of a bell or notification. For most of us, checking our phones constantly is second nature. We don’t even realize how much we do it. And God forbid I leave my phone at home, it is like I lost an appendage!! We want to constantly be up to date see the latest and greatest on social media or be up to date on the plethora of pictures that are posted. I get it, I really do! I am the first to stand up and say that I have been guilty as charged. I mean that most recent post on social media will still be there after I am done socializing, right? The message or text that just came in can wait a few minutes for a response, right? I am definitely confessing that I too have drunk the social media Kool-Aid and often find myself in a social media haze. But the one question that I keep asking myself, that is causing the haze to clear a bit is, “Who am I being for the person(s) right in my view?” Am I genuinely engaged with what I am doing or who I am with? Am I actively listening or am I drifting off into another world of conversation with someone that is not with me at the moment?

I know that you have had those times where you are talking with someone and you get that gut feeling that although they are there with you, they’re definitely not listening. You know what I mean, that time when you were sharing your thoughts or insights with a friend and mid-sentence you see them glance down at their phone and begin responding to a text. Yeah, I thought you might recognize that scenario. How did that make you feel? I know when that happens to me it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It tends to make me less open to share with that person again. It leaves me thinking that they really don’t put a whole lot of value in what was being said or who is saying it. Now, I am aware that there are unique circumstances that an interruption is needed, but it should be the exception not the rule. Here again, I have not only been the receiver of this less than desirable interaction, but I have dished it out to others (insert sad face). I am reminded of the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Such a simple rule yet carries a tried and true lesson for us all.

It is my desire in the days to come to be more aware, aware of where I am. Am I really with the one in front of me? Do I take the time to hear what each person is saying. Do I give time to validate what the other person has shared? Not saying that I am perfect at any of the questions posed, but I want to do better. I can do better. I will be better. I am becoming, presently aware.

Hope you have a fantabulous and cheery day!!!

*If you need someone to hear you or listen to you, feel free to email me anytime! I am here for you. You matter and your life is of value and worth.