Sometimes we are so busy wanting everyone to know that we are Living Our Best Life that we forget to live in the moments of our life.
When given opportunities to enjoy moments, special occasions, “once in a lifetime opportunities,” and the things we longed, prayed, and hoped for, we spend most of that time looking through the lens of a camera. We are making sure we capture those moments to share with everyone that is not with us, and not thinking about the time this is taking us away from experiencing every second of where we are.
Pictures were once taken to capture memories that we could look back on. Now, they have become our “proof” to the world that we are “living our best life.” What exactly does that mean?
Living is taking in the full experience. Allowing all of your senses to experience where you are and what you are doing. Allowing those senses to feel the jolt of working together in those magical moments, and feeling your mind, body, and spirit become in tune, creating a feeling you will never forget. Creating a time that will forever be engrained in your being as you are connected to where you are, what you’re doing, and who you’re with.
Recently I took a long-awaited vacation to Hawaii. Blessed enough to make good on a promise I made to my son a few years ago, I also enjoyed this trip with my mother. This trip allowed me not just to enjoy the island, but also to learn more about my loved ones experiencing this trip with me. We each have different ways of enjoying a vacation, but the downtime allowed me greater insight into this experience. I not only had the opportunity to see the island through my eyes but also through each of theirs, understanding what was important to them and what each would come to enjoy the most.
While I took a few pictures, I may not have taken as many most would expect. Instead, for me, the greatest view was that not through the lens of the camera or phone screen. The beauty of the island, the gigantic mountains covered in trees, plants, and flowers were too much to try to capture standing behind the phone. The view also included the smell of the flowers in the air, the sounds of the ocean in the background, and the warm breeze on my skin. I could sit outside all day, soaking it in. Of course, while enjoying all the local eats with the sweetest fruit ever. My experience is something others will not obtain no matter the number of pictures I try to capture. But, putting the phone down allowed me to experience the moments, rather than just taking in the “view.”
Lately, there have been quite a few posts about being still or being quiet. These are certainly words of wisdom that when adhered to allow us to hear clearer. But taking a step back from behind our phone or camera lens may give us greater vision. We gain insight into a greater life experience we are able to enjoy and take advantage of.
It is ok, being too busy enjoying life that you do not have time to take pictures and video everything for the world to see. While it is understandable to want to capture memorable moments, it is just as ok, to capture those moments that will forever be engrained in your memory. The laughs, smiles, talks, jokes, and stories you will tell for years to come. But don’t miss the opportunity to tell those stories because you were too busy wanting to prove to everyone, in the moment, you were living your best life.
Your stories that will stand the test of time are examples that you made a point to experience life at its fullest.
I also question, what is your best life? To say that something is your best would imply there are others to compare, i.e., your worst life. Do you really have another life to live? When we are living our best life, this is compared to what exactly?
We are given life. One life. We are not to take for granted the life we are given. We are to make the most of our life and not squander it away. As we age, our experiences change and hopefully evolve. We should be taking in all of our God-given experiences at every moment of our lives.
With every day, we should LIVE. Live on purpose and in purpose, as we were created with a purpose in mind. The key is coming in tune with what that is.
Your life’s journey will be full of experiences, I would challenge us all to take them all in and LIVE in the moment of each day. Just live. Take it all in and let your senses connect with all the aspects of your life.
No need to brag, prove to others, or point out that you are living your best life. After all, you are only given one! Just live it. Live in the moments, and enjoy the experiences.
When possible, put the phones and cameras down. Take in the beauty of what’s around you through the greatest lens…your God-given sight.
When possible, take in the sounds, smells, and embrace the feeling of what/who is around you.
Experience the one life you were given. Do not let it pass you by because once it is over, there are no do-overs.
