“This year I was given a present so valuable that I couldn’t possibly keep it all for myself. So today, I am paying it forward.
It all started this summer when I had a simple accident at the shore that resulted in a serious concussion. I tried blowing it off, but ended up with a CAT scan and the following advice from my doctors “no activity and absolutely no multitasking until the headaches subside in a few months.” A few months?! They further explained that no activity meant no TV, no reading, no movies, no talking on the phone, no running, jumping or playing, no computer and no working. Seriously, there wasn’t much left except staring at the wall, sleeping, and observing. So that is what I did, I observed the following:
1) We are bombarded with noise, images and multiple simultaneous tasks all day. It’s amazing that we can hear ourselves think let alone be present to truly listen to someone else.
2) We are rushed and we are rushing.
3) Because we live in this rushed, distracted world, it is very hard to stay focused on who we are with or what we are doing at the time. We are not truly engaged in the moment.
4) If we aren’t present in the moment, we aren’t really listening and connecting with those around us. We are disconnected, separate and often at odds.
5) If we are at odds, we aren’t usually feeling happiness or comfort, but we are too busy to know how to fix it. Good news ~ I now know.
Because we couldn’t have any noise in the house this summer, I would sit with my family at night and we would talk or play cards together. There weren’t any “screens” to distract us and we had some of the best conversations we’ve had as a family. We truly engaged with each other because we weren’t rushed. We were actually paying attention to what each of us had to say! We were present in the moment. We all felt loved and that time together was one of the most rewarding, unexpected gifts I have ever received.
Many of us are missing the truly joyful connections that come from being present in the moment. Perhaps like us, you didn’t intend to be distracted or disconnected from the ones you love. It just happens. When life returned to normal after the concussion for us, we crept back into a few bad habits, but we now know what to do. We took the “day off” together yesterday, went out to lunch and went to the movies. We made time to truly engage with one another.
The holidays are the perfect time to reconnect. Perhaps the least expensive, yet most rewarding gift you can give this year is your presence.”
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Ellen Palmer is a People Biz client that attributes her recent positive changes and insights to her participation in the Leading Change Program. Ellen Palmer is a Holistic Health Counselor, LIfestyle Change Coach and Public Speaker. She works with individuals to help them achieve optimal health through nutrition and lifestyle changes. She address digestive issues, symptoms from menopause, weight loss, Candida, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes and other chronic conditions. Ellen also hosts workshops and does public speaking on wellness topics such as: Hitting the Restart Button~ Integrating Healthy Habits In The New Year; Healthy Foods That Are Making You Sick, Sugar And The Mood Food Connection, Wellness In The Workplace and others.