Staying in the Moment

In his opening remarks at a meeting last week, Bishop Knestout reflected on what a whirlwind it is to come back from vacation and encounter all that September holds in store. Committees, boards, commissions – all sorts of groups – that haven’t met since the spring all urgently call for our attention this month, and it can feel overwhelming. He urged us to “stay in the moment” and to be truly present in whatever we are doing, as hard as that may seem sometimes.

It is a sentiment I tried to take to heart this week. And then today…

Suddenly my in-box began to fill up with calendar invitations from our HR department for the entire fiscal year…staff meetings…Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Lenten luncheons…all the way out to next June where we will have a cleanout and shredder day. So much for the here and now!

Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate the diligence of HR for getting all these things scheduled. As I have noticed in recent years, if it isn’t on my calendar, it well may not happen. I could name quite a few dental, hair, and orthodontist appointments that came as quite a surprise to me when I got a reminder text the day before – and then I recall the last-minute juggling necessary to make them happen because I hadn’t written them down.

Back to Bishop Knestout’s advice, though. Even as I plan the holidays that will be here before you know it, or the spring vacation that will happen six months from now, I am going to try to remember to be present in the moment and appreciate today.

God Bless,

Margaret