One of my greater concerns as I look out into the world, and forward into the future, is the rapid speed at which we all seem to be living. Nothing "wrong" with that, per se, but it prompts some questions.
What is - and will be - the impact if, in the process, we lose sight of the simplicity and the beauty of that which makes it all possible in the first place? What if we somehow lose touch with Life on the journey through life?
What happens if we get so busy working to make life meaningful and satisfying to others that we lose the meaning and satisfaction ourselves?
I see this with fellow parents. Working like crazy so that their children can have it better than they do. To me, this implies a couple of things. First, the way they have it isn't good enough; perhaps it will be better for the children. And two, if they aren't enjoying what they have and where they are as they pursue "better" for their children, what's the point?
Won't their children do the same thing? Who will stop long enough to really enjoy what is here now? Who will lead the way in slowing down and teaching the beauty found in this very moment.
What if we taught our children - and anyone around us - how to slow down and notice the beauty of this moment. To bask in the beauty of just BEING - even if only for a moment. Seems almost weird in our culture today to even entertain such an idea.
As a father of three children (ages 18, 13, and 12), and as a coach committed to helping others improve their life, I face these questions myself. And I see the tug of "better" and "more" in the eyes of my children all of the time. I feel the urge in my own life. And to be clear: I'm all for progress. Advancement. Growth. More expression.
But also I stand committed to look at - and invite others to look at - why we are pursuing those things in the first place. And are we - in the pursuit - losing the connection with the very things that we seem to be seeking in the first place: Life, God, Peace, Joy, and Love?
All of that awaits us in this moment. Pause... And you will experience it.
What is - and will be - the impact if, in the process, we lose sight of the simplicity and the beauty of that which makes it all possible in the first place? What if we somehow lose touch with Life on the journey through life?
What happens if we get so busy working to make life meaningful and satisfying to others that we lose the meaning and satisfaction ourselves?
I see this with fellow parents. Working like crazy so that their children can have it better than they do. To me, this implies a couple of things. First, the way they have it isn't good enough; perhaps it will be better for the children. And two, if they aren't enjoying what they have and where they are as they pursue "better" for their children, what's the point?
Won't their children do the same thing? Who will stop long enough to really enjoy what is here now? Who will lead the way in slowing down and teaching the beauty found in this very moment.
What if we taught our children - and anyone around us - how to slow down and notice the beauty of this moment. To bask in the beauty of just BEING - even if only for a moment. Seems almost weird in our culture today to even entertain such an idea.
As a father of three children (ages 18, 13, and 12), and as a coach committed to helping others improve their life, I face these questions myself. And I see the tug of "better" and "more" in the eyes of my children all of the time. I feel the urge in my own life. And to be clear: I'm all for progress. Advancement. Growth. More expression.
But also I stand committed to look at - and invite others to look at - why we are pursuing those things in the first place. And are we - in the pursuit - losing the connection with the very things that we seem to be seeking in the first place: Life, God, Peace, Joy, and Love?
All of that awaits us in this moment. Pause... And you will experience it.
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