I’m sitting in my office after my vacation. I’m reflecting on the things we did (and didn’t do) and I realized we didn’t take many pictures this time. Our plans changed and then they changed again and we had a great time, but we didn’t take as many pictures as we normally would. And I barely posted anything on social media while I was gone. I started to wonder, what did I do all that time if there are no pictures to record what happened and no souvenirs of the fun things we did?
I had to remind myself that pictures are only a way of reminding me of the fun memories that we created on vacation. The special moments that can’t really be captured in a picture anyway. Our last minute spontaneous decision to get a hotel in Phoenix, how much my kids loved the frozen yogurt I’ve been getting since before they were born, and teaching my oldest daughter how to drive in a caravan….these are the moments that will stay with me even without a picture as a reminder.
I am so proud of myself for how I showed up on this vacation. Mindfully and totally (most of the time) and without a focus on the outside world. So I found it kind of funny that when I got back to work I started to question if I’d done it “right”. It makes me very aware that I have internalized some ideas and messages that I don’t necessarily agree with consciously. What’s important to me is gratitude and time with family, not pictures and likes and recognition. But I easily fall into that trap anyway.
What I’m really grateful for is that I’m seeing it. Because when you see it you can also change it.
Wherever you are, be all there.
Jim Elliot
This is what I’m striving for at the end of the day. To really show up. I’ll be posting some pictures that we did take on social media, but in my heart I’ll hold the true beauty and magic of the time I spent with friends and family. And I will make sure to give myself credit for the times I was able to truly and fully…
