An Invitation to Enjoy Now

 "We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."

-Thornton Wilder

 

Nearly every year my family hosts Thanksgiving dinner. This holiday is filled with memories of watching the Macy's Day Parade and mouth-watering scents wafting from our kitchen. There are many things that make this time of year so special. I could write for pages and pages. When I sat down to write this post, I intended to write about all the things I am grateful for. After a few minutes of reflection, typing, editing and re-typing I realized I had writer's block. Not because I wasn't thankful, but because I couldn't place my gratitude in a list. It didn't seem to do it justice. Then I really started to think about a few articles I'd read and recent events in my own life.

I view social media as a way to share, learn and communicate. As a blogger my hope is to inspire and engage you in some way, or at least to give you something to think about. So instead of listing all of the things I'm grateful for, I'm giving you an invitation. An invitation to enjoy now.

In an age of multitasking and communication-device overload, this is easier said than done. We have the world wide web at our fingertips. We are constantly checking our texts, emails and social media sites. The ability to connect with information and people through technology is an amazing thing, but it can also distract and disconnect us from our present. Are we even aware when this happens? There are countless times I have been out to dinner, taken a look around and seen the majority of people on their phones instead of engaging with the person sitting directly in front of them. As sad as that makes me, I know I have been guilty of this myself.  

Tonight I read a letter from a woman who recently lost her mother to Alzheimer's. She wrote about the Thanksgiving traditions they shared before, and after her mom was diagnosed with this heartbreaking disease. In addition to the care of an Alzheimer's patient, you need to be creative and remember regardless of the changes, there's still a person inside who needs to be loved. 

Her story reminded me of a simple truth. One that applies to all of us regardless of health, or age. 

 

The best way we can show gratitude to those we love this Thanksgiving is to be with them. To live in the moment with them. Let go of distraction so we can grasp the moments that matter- with the people who matter most.

 Go ahead and send your Thanksgiving tweets or Facebook posts to those you care about online, but don't become too overloaded that you miss life's ordinary moments because those are the greatest gifts of all.

I challenge you to live as presently as you can this holiday season. If you'd like to take it a step further, check out The Hands Free Campaign and take the pledge to live every day in the present.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving full of gratitude and joy.