Little things may be big: Finding presence.

I was thinking about that human trait of wanting what someone else has; Coveting someone else's possessions, situation, location or anything at all. We all do it and it's probably quite common I suppose. It's not necessarily a bad thing generally, if held in check and not used as a reason or justification for failing to engage with one's own life.

Last night whilst walking on the beach my wife and were talking about holidays and how badly we wanted to get back to the UK and EU. We only just arrived home in late July and here we are 4 months later wanting to go again. We miss @smallsteps, our niece, and her parents and, of course, that holiday feeling of new sights and sounds, people, foods, experiences and the overall feeling of wellbeing that comes from vacationing. But there we were in a beautiful setting, sun low on the horizon providing a beautiful show, my loved one holding hands with me as we walked...Wishing we were elsewhere! Well, we probably weren't exactly wishing we were elsewhere but you get my point right?

I think it's ok to want to be somewhere else, to plan holidays, events and activities, however I also believe in being 100 percent present in every aspect of life and to be content with what surrounds me. My wife and I focus on that a lot. We try and engage with the moment rather than wish it away in preference for something that may seem more interesting, enjoyable or rewarding. We work hard to have the ability to experience things in life, to have the time, health and financial ability I mean. It takes effort so why waste that effort by not engaging and being completely present in that moment?

It was interesting to see so many people at the beach yesterday with their faces firmly fixed on their phones whilst the sunset played out right in front of them. Sure, that's their choice and maybe it's their way of engaging with life, and I'm not judging them however I can't do it. I need to be engaged and within the moment, the current moment, not some perceived one that may or may not happen. I also like to be present in conversations and interactions I have with people rather than be preoccupied elsewhere and only half-engaged. I think the people who choose to interact with me deserve that courtesy.

Many people spend their lives wishing, hoping and pining for something whilst their immediate-surroundings or situation goes unnoticed. Again, we all do it, or have done, at some stage in life.

For me...Well, yes I do it too I guess but not at the expense of the life I have in the here and now. To do so would be to wasteful and life is far too precious to waste. Wanting what other people have whether it's their material items, their position within the community, their partner, location or anything at all is a typical human trait and one that is probably impossible to stop. It can provide inspiration and motivation though so it's not all bad as long as it doesn't become obsession and turn into something more sinister.

Right now I want to be in Europe with my family, visiting @smallsteps, @tarazkp and @momone and experiencing new places and people, spending quality time with family and crushing life...But I can't be. I'm here in Australia working, dealing with life-issues, paying bills, taxes and generally just grinding to keep it all together. That's why I engage, because if I didn't what exactly would I have right now? Now is what we have, it's really the only thing we have and can rely upon and so I embrace it. It's for that reason I value the small things that occur in my life like the walk on the beach last night.

Here's a quote that lines up with how I think when it comes to my life, to presence and life-engagement. It sums it up perfectly. One never knows which moment is our last generally, and so every moment should be valuable.

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.” —Robert Brault

Note

The two images are:

• A Dartmoor pony foal. My wife was intent upon patting it. (Dartmoor, UK)
• An image from last night during our walk at the beach (Semaphore South Australia)

Both of these moments are special to us now, and were at the time despite one being 10 minutes from home and the other being on the other side of the world. Both were as engaging even though they were small, seemingly unimportant in the grand scheme of things.