The Runaround

I can’t tell you how many days I spend my time doing one thing while thinking about how I’m going to prepare for the next.

This month, I’m learning to be present.

It’s easy to get in the flow of nonstop activity, as I’m sure you know. A friend asks you to catch up over drinks; you sign up for an exercise class; you need to get groceries…and before you know it, you’re running around from 8 am to 9 pm. And ultimately, I worry that I’m not offering enough of my attention to each of these things.  With a bit more attentiveness, I might not forget to pick up chicken for the third time, or a co-worker and I might have a solid conversation at the coffee station that changes the whole tone of their day.  I fear I might be missing moments.

I read a Pinterest quote once (yes, these can hold a bit of wisdom from time to time, believe it or not) that said:

“Stop the glorification of busy.”

I love that idea. And I find it to be a challenge, especially at work.  My team and I have an average of 5 meetings a day, attempting to tackle our ever-accumulating email inboxes all the while (and keep a smile on!).  As a person who enjoys feeling accomplished at the end of the day, I’m not saying a busy day is a bad one, rather I think it could truly benefit us all to take our time with both our tasks and our interactions.

After all, the quality of our lives is so important. And it’s the little things and simple moments that bond us, and I think there is success in that.

Cheers,

K

An Hour at Starbucks

“Tall-skinny-vanilla-latte for Jan!”

“It’s so great to see you.”

“And this section lays out your payment plan.”

“Let’s move onto the food for your reception.”

“Okay, Corinthians chapter 2…”

It is naturally occurring in coffee shops. An environment of peace. Somewhere that we are all comfortable enough to talk about our personal stuff and our business stuff. There are few places in the world other than Starbucks that allow for such a variety.

In just an hour, I hear bits of all these gatherings among the wooden chairs spanning the living room-sized area.

An old gentleman reading the paper, students studying, a job interview, the wedding planner, a bible study, friends catching up, couples day-dreaming out loud or making a plan for their special day.

Myself, I am apt to recline in the soft, brown, leather chair with an ottoman to call my sister from time to time. A whole state away, we discuss everything from the latest episode of the shows she keeps up with, to the things we still find mysterious about the human race, to times we’ve really pissed off our Dad; all this within feet of another latte-lover next to me, both parties at a normal speaking volume.

All the while, uninterrupted by the harkening of the barista and the screams of the steamed milk.

Cheers,

K