Don't Hurry, Be Happy (Part II)

"When the eye wakes up to see again, it suddenly stops taking anything for granted. - Frederick Frank

Remember the first words of the National Anthem? "Oh say can you see...?"

The real question is, "Oh say do we see...?"

A hectic lifestyle can make it easy to overlook our surroundings and become inured to the everyday miracles that exist around us.

The good news is, there’s an antidote to that.

Follow Betty Smith’s advice. "Look at everything as if you are seeing it for the first or last time. Then, your time on earth will be filled with glory."

Are you wondering, "And who will take care of my responsibilities while I’m filling my time on earth with glory?"

Good point.

The thing is, if we become consumed and subsumed with the business of living, we can become obsessed with deadlines and to-do's, oblivious to the blessing of life.

As self-confessed curmudgeon Fran Leibowitz says, "There’s no such thing as inner peace, there’s only nervousness and death."

Surely, she jests.

Starting today, vow to counteract busyness by really seeing what's in your surroundings.

Here are two ways to do that.

2 Steps To Really Seeing Who and What are in your Surroundings

1.Look around right now. Let your eyes settle on one specific thing. Make it for your eyes only. Are you reading this on your phone or computer? Chances are, you use it without even stopping to think about the marvel of tapping on a piece of plastic and being able to instantly transmit a message to someone on the other side of the planet. You text, email, talk and never truly appreciate how this device keeps you connected with people you care about. Truly look at this miracle you’re holding in your hand. Realize what it’s capable of. Marvel at your relationships with people dozens and thousands of miles away as a result of it.

It's almost impossible to take anything for granted if you give it a minute of your T.I.M.E. (Defined in my ConZentrate book as Thoughts. Interest. Mind. Energy.)

2. Look around you and let your eyes settle on one specific person. Transform what could be a causal, half-hearted glance into a full-hearted gaze. Gaze means to "Look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, surprise, or thought." Think about what this person means to you. How long have you known them? Recall conversations you've had, activities you've done together, achievements and adventures you've shared. Reflect on - and feel - what a blessing this person is to you and why.

Evelyn Underhill said, "For lack of attention, a thousand forms of loveliness elude us every day."

I think, for lack of attention, a thousands moments of love elude us every day.

Love is defined as, "An intense feeling of deep affection."

Many of us rush through our days.

We are are rarely there because we are here, there, and everywhere.

As a result, we miss our life.

As David Peterson says, "A young man fears that by going too slow, he risks missing something. An older man knows that by going too fast, he risks missing everything."

One of the best ways to transform preoccupation into presence is to gaze.

When we put our mind and heart in our eyes and gaze at who and what is around us, our life becomes imbued with deep affection and appreciation.

I re-learn this lesson constantly.

When my sons were growing up, we had a nighttime ritual of back rubs and bedtime stories.

One night I was tired and preoccupied. It had been a long day and I was flying out early the next morning for a presentation. I was wondering, "Have I packed my hand outs? Is my airline ticket in my purse? What time does the plane leave?"

I was sitting inches away from Tom and Andrew, yet I was a million miles away in my mind.

Then, my distraction turned into a grateful gaze and I awoke from my musings.

I studied their faces. Ruffled their hair. Gloried in their good health, intelligence, curiosity, and youthful vitality. I was filled with what a blessing they were.

The second I did that, an ordinary moment became an extraordinary moment.

I went from being preoccupied to being fully present.

I went from missing the miracle of my sons to imprinting the miracle of my sons.

What was the difference between an experience that barely registered in my mind - and an experience that resonated so deeply I remember it today as if it happened yesterday?

I put my mind on hold and put my heart in my eyes.

As soon as I did that, my gaze formed a bridge of affection and connection.

Who is a loved one you haven’t seen for a while?

And I don’t mean someone who lives in another state, I mean someone who lives in your own home?

Right here, right now, could you give them your mindful, heartful eyes and attention?

Could you set aside your other concerns for awhile and reawaken yourself to the miracle of who they are and what they mean to you?

A preoccupied moment will become a present moment as soon as you give them your whole-hearted, whole-minded gaze.

As Henry Miller said, "The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself."

Who and what will you give your close attention to today?