The other day I was listening to a podcast on the topic of "drive" and the speaker (sorry, I wish I could remember which podcast it was to give them credit) talked about how sometimes driven people are so focused on their next move or meeting their goals that they're pretty much blinded by the future. They are so farsighted, they can't see what's right in front of them. Instead of putting all their effort into the current activity/task/job to the best of their abilities and enjoying the moment, they are just going through the motions and thinking what they should do next to get where they want to be. They don't take the time to be content.
Guilty as charged.
Content? Most definitely not a word that would be listed in my top 5 to describe myself.
After much reflection, I've came to the realization that I need a new goal. No, my goal setting won't be going away anytime soon. But, this goal is to better immerse myself in the today.
Goal: Be Content.
Of course a goal without a plan is just a wish so I've thought about a few ways I can practice being content. As I'm enjoying my summer vacation, I need to relish the time I have with my kids who won't be around the house for many more summers. I will be thankful that we have this precious time together. When I head back to school, I want to focus on refining a new program that I was a part of last year, not to make it better for the following year, but to make it better for the here and now. I will be thankful for the job I love and the opportunity to work in a niche that I am passionate about. As I begin my doctoral journey this fall, I want to learn from the class I'm in and not look at the next class I'll be taking or what I will do after I get my degree. I will be thankful to keep learning and furthering my education.
Tomorrow isn't a guarantee.
I want to be thankful for my today.
I want to become more nearsighted.
I want to be content!
