One of the main challenges of my sabbatical time is trying to accomplish everything I put on my “To Do” list! My sabbatical team warned me that I was being too optimistic (or misguided!) in my ambitions. I have always been one of those people who want it all. This might be seen as a personality trait but somedays it feel like a character flaw! It becomes a challenge when, instead of appreciating where I am and what I am doing I am worrying about, or longing for, where I am not. Living in the moment is hard work for me some days.
In one of my sabbatical readings it said, “You make a life out of what you have, not what you are missing.” I wrote that down. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I can be balanced and clear-thinking … sometimes! I know I have so much to be grateful for and that my life is richly blessed but somedays it just seems that all I can focus on are the hardships and disappointments of my life and what I want.
Jesus often spoke of the challenge of riches – scripture verse counters tell us he spoke more about money and its usage than any other topic except love. He modeled living in the moment and responding to the people he was with. I want to be more like that.
Do you ever find it hard to sit in the present moment and just be grateful – regardless of what that present moment is giving you? Would you call mindfulness a spiritual exercise? Does being grateful draw you closer to God?
