Embracing Wholeness: The Power of Living in the Present Moment (Copy)
“Be like a postage stamp, stick to one thing until you get there.” – Josh Billings
Recently at church, they gifted every person a gold star with a word on it. It was a word to live into or maybe out of in 2024. The drawing was random, with each person pulling a star from baskets passed through the congregation. We were told we could not exchange our star if we didn’t like the word we got and to embrace the word, hang it on the wall and reflect on it over the ensuing months. The words were all over the place, some in other languages, and it stirred up a lot of conversation as people pulled out their phones to look up definitions or translate. The girl I sit with drew the word “weave,” and I pulled the word “wholeness” - which I find quite fitting to my current state of being.
Most of my life, I considered myself a multitasker extraordinaire, moving through life at a fast pace, leaving pieces of myself spread thinly throughout the multitude of commitments and tasks I created for myself. I celebrated my abilitity to split into many pieces and embraced multitasking as a necessary skill for success in this high pressure and fast-paced world. However, there is a growing awareness of the dangers of spreading ourselves too thin and the transformative power we can unlock when we lean into living in wholeness.
Living in wholeness means embracing the entirety of ourselves and our experiences by making a conscious decision to be fully present in the moment. In a society that glorifies busyness and feeds us a constant stream of distractions, the idea of slowing down and focusing on one task at a time seems counterintuitive, but the benefits are profound.
One of the primary dangers of multitasking is the toll it takes on our mental well-being. Constantly switching between tasks can lead to increased stress levels as our brains struggle to keep up with the demands. It creates a sense of chaos within, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
Moreover, multitasking often leads to a decrease in overall productivity. While it may seem like we’re accomplishing more by tackling multiple tasks simultaneously, research suggests that our brains are not designed for efficient multitasking. Instead, we end up making more errors, taking longer to complete tasks, and experiencing a decline in the quality of our work. By immersing ourselves fully in one task at a time, we can enhance our focus and efficiency.
Spreading ourselves too thin also has implications for our relationships. It’s easy to find ourselves physically present but mentally absent in our interactions. How many times have you asked someone their name and then your mind has moved on before you even hear their reply? Embarrassing, but it happens to all of us. Whether it’s during family dinners, time with friends, or moments with loved ones, the habit of multitasking can diminish the depth of our connections. Living in wholeness means giving our undivided attention to those around us, fostering meaningful relationships built on genuine presence, attentive listening, and understanding.
Living in the present moment allows us to savor more of our experiences, reducing stress and promoting a sense of peace and calm. When we allow our minds to wander and explore a single task without distractions, we open the door to innovative thinking and fresh ideas. It is in moments of stillness that we create space for creativity and play, unlocking our full potential. This shift toward wholeness is not about doing less but rather about prioritizing depth over breadth in our experiences.
Practicing mindfulness and embracing wholeness also contributes to better physical health. The constant switching between tasks can lead to increased tension in the body and contribute to an assortment of medical conditions including headaches, neck pain, stomach issues, and fatigue to name a few. Taking time to be fully present allows us to tune into our bodies, promoting relaxation and overall well-being.
So how do we make this change? Like most transformations that push against societal norms and pressures, it’s hard and requires discipline. I’m not sure it is even possible when you are attempting to balance children, work, managing the day to day demands of family life as well as maintaining loving relationships, aging parents, pets…the list is unending! But it is worth setting the intention because even baby steps will lead you towards wholeness and peace.
At this point in my life, it is easier. I don’t have as much to juggle, but I remember, and I have a front row seat watching my adult children strive to find balance in their lives. I think my unconscious messaging to them as their mother was to “Do, Do, Do!” Wish I could take that back. Now, I hope to be an example of living differently and encouraging them to find balance, set boundaries, and say NO. When I am with my children, grandchildren, and friends, I strive to be fully present, listening more than I talk, immersed in the joy of their presence. Some days I do great and others I fall miserably short. We are human!
The journey towards wholeness begins with a deliberate decision to live in the NOW. By letting go of the constant need to multitask and embracing the wonder of each experience, we can cultivate a sense of fulfillment, reduce stress, heighten creativity, and enhance our lives.
Is Now the Time to Start Your Journey Towards Wholeness?
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Know someone who can benefit from these words? Please pass it on! We are all in this life together.