Be Present

This time of the school year presents a number of challenges for us. Many families are in transition and planning to move to a new place. Students in university are returning to visit their families during their school breaks. Kids are saying goodbye to friends who are moving away. There are lots of celebrations and parties to mark the passing of another school year. Exams are looming for many of our students. The convergence of all of these things in a short few weeks often leads people to feel overwhelmed.

One strategy we can use to overcome these challenges is to “be present.” While it is important to plan for the future, we must be careful not to let worries about the future overpower us. While it is crucial to learn from the past, we must not dwell in the past.

Being present means focusing your time and attention on what is right in front of you at the moment. If you are attending a concert or art exhibition, put all of your focus on that. Look at the art, listen to the music, and talk to those around you. When you are having a meal with your family, savor the food, listen to your spouse and children, and take joy in being together.

The Bible gives this advice again and again:

• Don’t worry about anything. (Philippians 4:6a)
• So don’t worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself.
  Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)
• Do not let your hearts be troubled. (John 14:27b)
• This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

As we journey through the ups and downs of the end of another school year, let’s all try to focus on treasuring each moment as we live it.