Hi friends!
Does anyone have a hard time living in the present moment? I DO!
Last month, my team was working on a coffee farm in Panama. It was hard work, but an absolute dream! We got dirty. We got wet. And we ate a ton of bread. It was lovely! I’m thankful God placed me there. It was an incredible experience!
While working on the farm, I learned how to find beauty in what was right in front of me. In my life, it has been HARD to take time to live completely surrendered to the present day and to love every second of it. I’m a big dreamer so I always always ALWAYS find myself daydreaming instead of enjoying what is right in front of my face. So, last month on the farm I forced myself to just simply BE. I personally don’t even like saying “simply” because in my case BEING is truly a test for my soul and mind. I’m always thinking or coming up with the next best thing. What I realized is there is a time and place to dream and a time and place to be present. I also realized that I sometimes use my daydreams as a distraction to face reality. Yikes. Anyone else? That was a heavy realization.
Being on the farm was amazing for so many reasons, but the coolest part was it was just me and God and some coffee plants. I listened to music, podcasts, and I got to enjoy God’s creation. It was a super simple and life-giving month. It was also one of those things I needed but wasn’t aware I needed it. I love when God does things like that.
I wanted to be on the farm when I was at the farm. I wanted to pull weeds when I was pulling weeds. I wanted to do everything that was strictly right in front of me and nothing else. Most of this race, I have been thinking about the future, the next decision I have to make, who is thinking what about something I’m doing, etc. The scary truth is that I’m never going to get this life that I’m living back. It’s sad, but true! The second this race is over; it will be time for another beginning. I don’t want to be someone who is constantly looking to the future. Yes, it is important to think of the future and to dream, but when it is taking you out of the present moment all the time, it can be a recipe for disaster.
Last month, I lived only where God had me at the moment and I am continuing to do that now. God knew one day I was going to travel the world and be a witness to how magical He is. I’ve fallen in love with the little things again. I’ve stopped thinking so much and overthinking every detail. I have found myself simply looking at a cloud and being in complete awe. I was in the back of a pick-up truck multiple times when it started to downpour and I found so much joy in getting soaking wet while the dirt from the farm drips all over me. That sounds gross, but it was so freeing! I had no care in the world because I wasn’t stressing about things that I don’t even have control over yet.
My encouragement to you is to turn your brain off. I know this is easier said than done. I know a lot of you reading this have to look to the future and I’m not telling you to stop. All I’m encouraging you to do is to take time to look at where you are and LOVE and ENJOY it. It brings a lot of peace. Please please dream! Dream your heart out, but don’t let your dreams blind you from what is in front of you.
I want to rejoice in the little things and the little accomplishments forever. I want to see the small as the big. I want to look at the clouds and the rain and be in awe. I believe in every single small and big plan God has created for my life. I don’t want to miss it wondering about the next thing and I don’t want you to either. Breathe and be.
Xxxxxxxx,
Mace
