(Annabelle learns to walk. She, indeed, has Daddy wrapped around her finger, hence the typography on the shirt.)
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
James 4:13-15 (NIV)
With each year that passes, I try to absorb a
meaningful phrase or word, such as “Grace,” “Practicing Thankfulness,” or “My
Very Best.” Then I set reminders in strategic locations to remember this theme,
to reflect upon it, and to thoughtfully pray on the chosen phrase. This year I
picked “One Step” as my personal mantra for self-improvement. I possess
a tenacious personality with many goals every year, seeking to accomplish more
in my life. I often focus too much of my energy on the future, rather than
living in the present.
My daughter, Annabelle, has recently been learning to
walk, one step at a time in stride. In fact, she is so fast that I
sometimes run after her to catch up. The challenge to go faster and faster consumes
her attention while physically walking on her own. I try not to get so caught
up in future ambitions that I forget to enjoy the process of watching Annabelle
grow up and learn to walk. As I grow older, certain seasons seem to pass more
quickly than in previous years. Therefore, I seek to stop, absorb the feelings
in front of me, and marvel at the wonderful pleasures and experiences of the
current moment.
One might even say I try to stay focused on the bigger
picture where these small moments represent the best blessings experienced.
This principle is especially remarkable when I share them with the individuals I
care most about, this example being my daughter. Like a walker that an elderly
person might utilize, Annabelle tends to prop herself up against a standing toy
with wheels. This object serves to assist her in this learning process to walk.
She is now almost independently balancing herself without assistance.
Occasionally, she falls forward or backward, flat on her booty. Then I applaud
her efforts in hopes that she will not cry, and in unison, we yell “Boom!”
Annabelle’s learning process reminds me of how I
believe God wants His followers to view life. Rather than thinking about too
many days or too many months, God desires for us to enjoy Him now in our
current moment. I often pinch my arm to remind myself that I am here in this
minute of this hour. One might think of this habit as my own applied
mindfulness to intentionally focus on the now. I hope you can relate to my “One
Step at A Time” mentality as I seek to improve my own mental health and
psychological focal points. Today is the best day to live in my special moments!
I would say the same for you, the reader.
If you have not already written down your New Year’s
resolutions, I would encourage you to pick a phrase or word as I have done. I
recommend that you use these words or brief quotes to focus on an area of your
life you hope to improve for your betterment, including mental health and
spiritual reasons. When the end of 2022 approaches, perhaps we will be able to
appreciate the current moment in the presence of the people we most cherish.
Together we will learn “One Step” at a time.
Please reference some of the pictures below of Annabelle
and Lisa from this past holiday season. We focused on each day to remain
present in the new memories we cultivated together.
