Stress is getting the best of me these days.
We all experience times where we get overwhelmed and a bit frantic. Moments race by with things left undone and our frustrations mount.
I don’t want to surrender to these kind of moments, as author Anne Morrow Lindbergh suggests in today’s quote.
“If you let yourself be absorbed completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.”
I want to move past the stress — stand outside it or above it — and absorb the good moments, the worthwhile moments that I’m overlooking in the midst of all the hurry and have to’s.
My friend Angela suggested that I be less aware of danger — definitely a stressful mindset — and more aware of safety. Of calm.
I tried that as I wrote this blog post and allowed myself to be aware of some goodness surrounding me — time spent talking with my husband and youngest daughter. Our laughter. Our ability to connect and understand one another.
Just now I closed my laptop and absorbed the moments as my family talked and laughed together: two of my daughters, one son-in-love, and my husband. This post could wait to be finished. I didn’t want to let those moments pass.
And yes, it was rich.
In Your Words: What rich, I’m-so-glad-I-didn’t-miss-them moments have you experienced recently?
In Others' Words: Living More Richly in the Moments http://bit.ly/2QYr6pZ #quotes #perspective Click To Tweet 'If you let yourself be absorbed completely, if you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.' Quote by Anne Morrow Lindbergh http://bit.ly/2QYr6pZ #moments #choices Click To Tweet
Comments 7
Well, one great moment was when I was walking our velociraptors…uh, sorry, our Pit-Ridgeback sisters, Josie and Reebok. They’re pure hunters, and can jump over my head from a standing start. They are NEVER outside off-leash.
Anyway, I was walking them, and a rabbit decided to make a dash BETWEEN them. The rabbits here are semi-tame; we see them all the time, and they’ll sometimes walk with me as I walk the dogs.
But this one was made of something different. He flashed between the Raptors, and they both turned their heads inward…
CLUNK!
Skull met skull. Josie sat down to think about it for a bit, whilst Reebok (who has white paws, hence the name) shook her head and muttered to herself.
Author
A little comedic relief, eh, Andrew? And yes, those are worth savoring, too. I always try to stop and savor laughter with friends and family. 🙂
The Raptors are a hoot. They are sometimes simply called “THEM!”
They’re totally human-friendly…but are terrified of cats, and a neighbour’s cat who frequents our yard knows this. She will hide behind a bush as Josie and Reebok approach, and then leap straight up with a blood-chilling YOWL!
The girls don’t run; they try to hide behind me.
I believe you recognize and live key moments well. I’m thinking of you and your family as you celebrate some wonderful ones these days.
Author
Thank you for saying so, Dee. There are some to-be-treasured moments coming this weekend and I intend to fully immerse myself in them!
“…less aware of danger… more aware of safety. Of calm.” I am having to choose this practice also. To counteract anxious thoughts with the truth of my safety in the Lord no matter what. Focusing on blessings and gratitude as much as possible. Working on mentally laying aside what is outside of my control.
Since we have recently moved my dad in with us, I am trying to fully enjoy his being with us in relatively good mental and physical health for his 89 years. It has been a huge change with lots of logistics to take care of, but I am thankful that we are doing this before it’s absolutely necessary so that we can enjoy one another and bless him in his remaining years.
Author
Being intentional about where we focus our thoughts is so important — more than I realize at times. I hope you are able to enjoy the time with your dad, Bernadette — finding a special reason to be grateful every day.