It started when my son began Kindergarten.
“Just wait,” people said. “Wait until he gets to high school. You won’t believe how fast the time flies.”
“Enjoy them,” said the older ladies in the supermarket, as my toddler screamed and wiggled in the seat strap and my baby struggled to be seen in the cart, nestled between the Cheerios and peanut butter.
And they were right, of course. The time is flying.
But it’s not just our offspring’s childhood that can slip by, suddenly gone, without us comprehending where it went or how that happened or savoring the difficult moments along with the lovely, sunnier ones.
It’s friendships.
And meaningful work.
It’s faith.
And marriage.
Emerson said it this way in his essay, Prudence.
“Life wastes itself while we are preparing to live.”
What a terrible truth.
We hear it often, don’t we, that we must live in the moment? So often, we roll our eyes at this advice and wonder how on earth we can live with intention and focus on the Important Things when we have diapers to change and groceries to purchase and laundry to wash.
And the truth is, the wonderful truth, that we can’t do it all. We can drop that notion as quickly as we picked it up. We can work. We can mother. We can be wives. We can do the Important Things but we must take one simple and critical step first:
We must identify what is truly important to us.
And your Important Things won’t be the same as my Important Things.
When we know what’s most Important to us, it’s much easier to choose. It’s easier to let the laundry go for a day, or skip a soccer game for a much-needed laugh with 4 of the funniest friend a girl could ask for.
What’s worth Living with Intention to you?
So terribly, and terrifyingly, true … thanks for the reminder. xo
You’re welcome. I need to remind myself sometimes!
Nicely said. I was just talking about this with my secretary a few weeks ago.
What an important reminder, Kirsetin. As you know, I’ve been trying to launch my writing career and sometimes I feel like I let the immediate tasks of that work eclipse the simple moments with my kids. At those times, I think of Jackie Kennedy’s quote: “If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.” And I try to refocus my attention on them – to really be with them when I’m with them and to let my work wait until it’s time to work. (Easier said than done, I fear.)
Mickey – Thank you!
Kristen – Yes, I know exactly what you mean. And that’s one more reason to admire Jackie Kennedy!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
All so true! I’ve been all about intention lately – and being reminded that I can live by design and not be powerless to “situation”.
Found you through the BlogHer ad network!
Sophia, It’s funny, isn’t it, how we have to remind ourselves of this truth? But I think we all do–the daily “stuff” gets in the way so easily and often.
Thanks so much for stopping by – I’m glad you found me.
Great post, Kirsetin! Nice to see your blog, too. I’ve just delved into the world of blogs myself — all about your topic of living with intention in the realm of writing and parenting.
Remember meeting at ASJA years ago? That book is finally coming out this August! Not without a bit of intention…
Heather, Of course I remember-that’s wonderful news! I look forward to reading it; please be sure to let me know when I can get a copy. xo