On Being Present…Presently

Last week was Catalyst.  I loved just about every minute of it.  There were a few things that I’m still trying to figure out and a lot of information that I’m digesting and turning over and over in my head.  There will be more posts in the following weeks. I’m pretty excited to share some of it with you.

What I can tell you is my initial thoughts on what I got out of it the most.  I haven’t been really present in my own life for a while.  I’ve been here, but not engaged and involved, and it makes me sad.

I want to do too much.  In my mind I can do all these things, so why shouldn’t I?  I can work an extra 30 hours on top of my regular 40-hour week.  And actually physically I can do that.  What I’ve found, though, is that I feel completely disconnected from everything and everyone I love.  I called my friend on evening as I was driving home and just told her I called just so I could hear her voice.  My best friend.  I hadn’t spent any quality time with her in weeks.  I was there.  But I wasn’t present.

So I’ve got to slow down.  I’ve got to learn to say no.  I’ve been selling out.  Money speaks to me, and if I can make money doing something easy, then I would have probably at least attempted to do it.  And maybe I’ll still be busy, and maybe I’ll still be gone more than I’m home, but I will be doing things I love and things that I can give 100%.

So with that being said, I told you in my videos last week that I would be announcing a new project.  Actually, now, I’m going to announce two new projects.  Don’t worry.  This is stuff I’ve already been doing.  I just haven’t told you about it.

Announcement #1.  The reason I’ve been writing the My Story Monday series is that for a while I’ve been working on writing a book.  I have an outline.  That’s about it.  But getting that far was a HUGE step.  The premise of the book will be what this blog is about.  The Esau Project and the ways we’re not living out God’s best plan for us.  The things that have impacted me the most in my life have been what I’ve been writing about on Mondays, so, theoretically, everything in the book will tie back to that.  At least that’s the plan.  Whew.  I’ve been keeping that secret from you for months.  I feel better now.

Announcement #2.  I’m starting a new blog.  Everything will still stay the same here on The Esau Project.  The new blog will be pretty different.  I said in my birthday list that I would run a half marathon in Nashville on April 28, 2012.  This blog will be focusing on that experience and the training.  I’m working with a trainer here in town, and you’ll hopefully hear from her as we go along, as well.  The site’s not up and running yet, but I would guess within the next week or so we’ll have everything up and running.  The video camera was bought for the purpose of going on workouts with me and on my runs and so forth.   And honestly, I’m going to focus on the humor in all of it.  The name of the site will be Run With The Big Girls, and I honestly am really looking forward to having a lot of fun with this one!

So that’s how I’m planning to be present.  I’m going to slow down.  My time with friends and family will be quality time.  I’m doing to do things I love and am excited about.  I’m going to take care of myself and do something that will make me proud.  I may not like where I’ve been, but I can love where I’m going.

How would you apply the theme of “Be Present” to your life right now?

Any suggestions for the new projects?  Any advice?