Be Present

I've been reading The God Seed: Probing the Mystery of Spiritual Development by M. Catherine Thomas. There's a lot in that book and I'm going to have to read it again but for now, I have two thoughts about it. #1 I like the idea it presented of being present in the moment.  No judgements, just being present. Most things that happen in my life aren't good or bad they just are.  I put the judgement into it.  Which then creates the emotion.  What if I just accepted it and allowed things to happen instead of trying to control it or push it away.

For example, my kids were playing and my almost 3 year old did something which caused my 1 year old to cry.  I could rush in, place judgement and control the situation or I could wait and be present with situation and see what happens.  It turns out that they figured it out on their own and continued playing.  Everyone was happier.

Another time was when we were leaving a store and I wanted to go back to the car to go home.  My 2 1/2 year old had other plans.  I decided to just be present and allow him to lead us where he wanted to go.  Low and behold he found a safer way back to the car.  No tears, no fuss and we both got what we wanted.   

Now for the 2nd thought.  Why can't I remember to do this all the time?  It works great when I do it.  I am less angry and more compassionate.  I love who I am when I am just present without judgements.  Why can't I remember any of the great things that I've tried to incorporate into my life over the years.  It is so interesting to me how an idea, person or thing can have such an impact on my life and yet when I'm not surrounding myself with it, I forget.  Maybe that's why the Lord commanded us to read the scriptures and pray daily.  Not because He needs it, but because He knows we do, or else we'd forget.