Goal For Vacation: Be Present

My goal for vacation is to be present.  No matter what situation my family of four is in, I work to be totally there.  Not to say I won’t check an occasional post or peek at email (I’m human!) but overall and with gratitude, I spend vacation present with my husband and two kids.

As I reflect on recent vacation, I’m reminded of a great presence as Ian, my youngest, and I watched big black beetle move slowly across the sidewalk.  At 3, his questions rarely stop: “Where is he going? What is he doing? Why? Why? Why?” Yet it’s his focus on the bug and my focused intent to be with my son at that moment reminds me today to be present.

By the time bug crawled-fell down the sidewalk onto the road, my husband and 11-year old had had enough beetle watching.  I stayed until Ian decided it was time to leave.  Our mutual intent was noteworthy as my husband snapped photo for a rare Facebook post. For days following, Ian continued to ask and wonder about the beetle.  My wonder at the beetle continues to follow my intent: when I’m at work, back in life and no longer in vacation mode I will remember our bug and be reminded to be present.

If you don’t have time to watch a beetle cross the road during vacation, when do you?

Anita, Reach Partners

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