Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Filed under: in the moment

Capacity: do you have it?

You know what I'm talking about...capacity. It's the ability to have
life throw a googly-moogly amount of stuff at you, all at once, and
then you simply -- deal with it. That's capacity.

Most people don't have a lot of capacity, and, I must admit, there are
days when even the slightest bit of additional unplanned-for
responsibility will send my system into overload.

But for the most part, capacity allows an individual to be enriching,
broadening, calming, and reassuring in the midst of chaos. If stress
is the pulled-thin tightness of hectic activity and responsibility,
then capacity is the opposite. It can handle with clear-headed
thoughtfulness whatever is thrown in the mix at any given moment.

Capacity is similar to patience; but patience can wear thin, or run
out. Capacity, however, remains vaulted once expanded. There's
always room for more with no pressure increase.

This is definitely a skill that can be learned and cultivated. In my
own life, I'm noticing a sense of growing capacity to handle lots of
different challenges that arise each day; challenges from work, home,
relationships. Capacity allows room to breathe and think and to be
level-headed enough to accomplish what needs to be done. Since I'm
not as frustrated and exasperated at every little thing, my capacity
must be expanding to allow all of the unnecessary things to fall
harmlessly without affecting any damage.

Don't be forced into making rushed decisions; take your time to
evaluate and consider all of your options. Grow your capacity to
think laterally about other ways of accomplishing what needs to be
done. The more you practice it, the easier and roomier it gets. It's
like stretching a balloon to allow the air to expand it more easily
with each breath.

Capacity allows you to live in the moment, because that's the most
important time to be aware of. Try it for yourself, and see how much
your capacity, and achievement, increases with practice.

Great things typically get done a little at a time, where you are now. Try this today:

Sure it would be great to solve world hunger, or save the whales, or accomplish whatever your cause is that you are passionate about.

But while it may be difficult to get the rest of the world in line with your way of thinking, what if you simply went out and worked your cause wherever you could, and made a difference in that place today?

The story is told of a little boy who walked along a beach as the tide was going out.  As he walked, he would see a stranded sand dollar, pick it up, and then throw it back out into the water as far as he could.

An older man approached from the other end of the beach, watching the boy with interest and amusement.  "Young man!" he called out.  "Why are you wasting your time throwing those back in the water?  There are so many of them on this beach, it hardly can make a difference."

The young boy thought for a second as he threw another sand dollar in the water, and then said, "It will for this one."

Maybe you can't save all the whales today, but you sure can help that turtle get across the busy street to the pond next door.  

No matter how big your dreams, start now where you are already, and you will find your passion will help those whom you touch today

Relishing the moment

I'm not sure when it happened, but suddenly (it seems), our family schedule is incredibly busy.

Between after-school game attendance, mid-week church activities, homework responsibilities, doctor appointments, late meetings at work, chores around the house, meal preparations and clean up, it seems to never end.

And I'm not even home all day with a four-year-old like my wife Rae is.  I'm actually surprised when I show up in the evening and she's still there.  I just know I'm going to come home one day and find a note:

Hi Sweetie. Went crazy.  Have a nice life. Love, Rae
(PS: the dishes in the dishwasher are still dirty)


It's incredibly difficult to ensure that all of the loose ends are caught each day.  Sign the planner for school.   Have you brushed your teeth?  No DS until your chores are done.  Where's my brush?  No, you may not watch a movie; it's five minutes before bedtime.  Why was your practice let out late again?  Sorry, honey, another late meeting tonight.  I'm serious about the DS; put it away until chores are done.  How many people are coming over tonight?  Is it really that late already?  The toilet's running again.  Why is it 100 degrees in your bedroom; did you leave your heater on again?  But the bottle said "shake well before using"; I didn't know the lid wasn't on.  Chew your food with your mouth closed. Okay, the DS is mine for one week; I don't care that you didn't save your game.  (This shtick could have gone on much longer, but I think you get the idea). 

And that's without making stuff up.

A calm spot graciously appeared recently.  I came home from a late meeting, the kids were off to bed.  Rae had some hot water on the stove for my tea, and we got to spend about one hour together, just talking.  To each other.  No kids, no homework, no fire alarms.  Blessed calmness.

I guess the calmness only appears as calm as it does because of all the hustle and bustle the rest of the time, but it sure feels great when it occurs.  The trick is to take advantage of the time without throwing something else in there to fill the "down time". 

Take the down time, fellow adventurers; take it, feel it, relish it, absorb its recharging capabilities; stay connected with the important things and people in your life to ensure they stay important.  And you will have the renewed energy to meet the adventurebolts of...tomorrow.