Lately, I'm frequently finding myself distracted, anxious, and stressed. We just finished up a two week school break, and on the last evening, I found myself wondering where all that time had gone. I worried that I had squandered it on meaningless little errands, internet cat videos, and generalized busyness.
Reflecting on that feeling led me to my 2015 word of the year.
Present
Present.
That is how I want to live this next year.
I want to be present with my children. I want to turn off the phone, the television, the radio and fully focus on them. I want to actually listen to all their stories. I want to take the time to read with them, play games with them. I want to marvel in how they grow and change each day. I want to sit on the floor, at their level, and really be there for them.
I want to be present in the now. I want to let go of the anxiety I have for the future. Some stress is inevitable. I don't need to make it worse by focusing all my energy on it. I want to plan for what I'm able to and just deal with what else arrives when I have to. I want to look forward to the future and what it holds without spending my today worrying about potential troubles.
I want to be present with myself. I want to fully enjoy what it is I'm doing, and stop feeling guilty about the things I think I should be doing. I want to just read my book without thinking about how I should be dusting. I want to enjoy my run without thinking about how far I wish I could go or how many calories I'd like to burn. I want to
I want to be present in my life. I want to remember to realize how wonderful my life is right now. I don't have to wait to be happy until Hubster is done with school, or until our student loans are paid off, or until we find the perfect job or the perfect house, or until I'm the perfect weight. I want to enjoy the present, the right now, just as things are.
This is my life.
And I will be present in it.
(All images taken from Pinterest and are not my own.)
I think this is so great! You will have an amazing year, Katherine.
ReplyDeleteI hope so. I'm really hoping that this gives me the boost this year needs.
DeleteI think you chose a great word especially with technology or worrying about the future it's hard to enjoy the moments while you're in them. I hoped you have a lovely year. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that with all our modern advances, it's harder to just enjoy what we are currently doing. I hope focusing on being present is the start of many good things.
DeleteI love that you chose "present" for the word of the year. I feel like it is often overlooked and it is so important. Being present is something that I also want to work on. Technology makes it so hard though! I have had days where I just turn off my phone so that I won't be tempted by it.
ReplyDeleteI think technology is one of the major reasons I struggle with being present. Now, distraction is just an app away. Although, right after I chose this word, we started a major home improvement project, so I'm already struggling being present, and it's still January!
DeleteVery inspiring! I love reading all your blog posts, but especially this one. These are some of the same thoughts I've had lately, but hadn't actually put them into words.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I do love seeing that you stop by to read. I've been struggling with this issue for a while, but just finally put a word on it.
DeleteThat is a fantastic word-and something I think we can all work on.
ReplyDelete