Perfect Moments

While the topic for this issue was intended to be “Listening,” the next in the series of articles on Building Trust, this afternoon was too perfect not to pre-empt the planned topic.

Those moments of serene contentment and delight are dubbed in my mind as “Perfect Moments.” Increasing awareness of when they’re present and celebrating the occurrence is, in my experience, key to adding happiness and meaning to life. In coaching, my clients often (without necessarily articulating it in this exact syntax) come for just this reason – to increase happiness and meaning in their lives. One of the ways we achieve this is to define what “perfect moments” are for them – and to create opportunities for more of those to happen.

On this perfect Friday afternoon, I decided to share with the Building Blocks community some of my most Perfect Moments, with the intention that you notice and celebrate your own. Here goes! The sun shining on a late December afternoon, so warm that I can be comfortable on my porch swing in just my sweatshirt and jeans. And no bugs are around, because it’s winter! A spectacular view of the San Juan Mountains, red cliffs dusted with stripes of snow. Wind chimes singing in the gentle breeze.

Watching my dog, Rory, scramble after grapes I’ve tossed, flipping them into the air with his head, then pouncing on them. Running around with his new Christmas toy, a squeaky Gingerbread man that he’s prancing around the yard with, alternatively chewing on it and trying to tempt me with it.

A friend who loves me. Having an abundance of community, family and friends in my life. Work that grows me and contributes to the world. A sense of place in the world.

A decadent dinner out in a cozy French restaurant with a favorite friend, with time and space to reconnect. Holiday parties with opportunities to greet old acquaintances, and to meet new ones.

Peals of laughter with 15 girlfriends as we plan a silly fashion show to entertain our town.

Parents who encouraged me, and told me I could be anything I wanted to be. Reflecting upon my successes and failures, and drawing strength from each. I embrace my successes for giving me confidence to set high goals, and my failures for teaching me what I can survive.

The holidays offer excuses we don’t need to reach out to people we’ve been out of touch with….and remind that even as our bodies grow older, our lives grow richer. Friends of 20 years and more with whom I share much history and great stories. Friends of less than a year, with whom I share a sense of excitement about what our friendship will mean in our lives.

At this moment, the stress of trying to do all of the holiday stuff in addition to my usual busy life recedes completely against the big screen movie of how lucky I feel. There is time and space enough to wrestle with problems and for worry to rob sleep – this afternoon I choose to be carefree and revel in my list of what’s Good and Happy. Denial? Maybe. Why not, for an afternoon? Souls need recess, too.

When was the last time your soul took recess? Might it be possible for you to do that, even for a few hours, during these next two weeks? And out of that recess of gratitude and enjoyment, what will you carry into the new year with you? For me, it will be to remember that recess will occasionally serve me better than diligence and focus. I have plenty of diligence and focus in my life! I don’t have quite enough recess – yet.

Practical steps:

1. Labeling an occasional recess as important and needed – not something to be hidden or excuses made for.
2. Having the presence to stop and enumerate the things in your life for which you are grateful. We’re all such good problem solvers that our focus naturally gravitates toward those things that are problems or not quite right in our lives.
3. Committing to bringing a refreshed self back to the usual work, family and community.
4. Integrating an element of positive awareness from each recess to the present and to the future.

A few final Perfect Moments! The excitement of looking for a new girl puppy to add to our family. Exciting new business opportunities to pursue. The abundance of chocolate around the holidays! Being in good health, with no tragedy looming nearby. The joy and ability to send many cards and gifts as other ways to say “I’m glad I know you. Thank you.” I say that to all of you today, as well.

"I’m glad I know you. Thank you."

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E-mail: ginger@magellangj.com
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