Showing Up

Has anyone been on overload lately?  I have, and my brain is threatening to shut down entirely.  I’m not so sure it hasn’t already.  There is so much work to do, books to write, bills to pay, an office floor to find under piles of paper, projects to finish, projects to start, responsibilities to tend to…you get the idea.  And then there are people.  Our family dog died this weekend and my daughter was devastated by losing her best friend.  I got off a plane on Sunday and went to her house to spend the night, reminisce and watch dumb movies to distract her.  While she was sleeping, I washed clothes and windows—kept busy with chores because I didn't know what else to do.  Then the husband of a dear friend passed away—once again, there was nothing to do but be present, to show up just to say I cared.  We can’t change anything.  All there is to do is be supportive.  It occurs to me that sometimes the most important thing we can do is just show up for people, to take the time to be there for them despite our deadlines, demands and  to-do’s.  It is the best gift we have to offer.  Though it might be “free,” showing up for people is often expensive in terms of time away from work, missed business opportunities, one’s own convenience—and yet it is so important.  We have to put people first.  I admit I didn’t always do that when I first began to write.  I was so in love with writing that it dominated my life.  Now it has its own special place but I don’t allow it to distract me and keep me from showing up when others need me.  If everyone practiced this with those they love, what a difference it would make in our world.  Be there for someone today.

Judy Baer

Comments

[Amy]

I like that-just show up. Sometimes in need, we do not know what we want.

[Veronica]

This is so true sometime we do allow life to get in the way of people. Thank you for the reminder.

[online writing jobs]

Why doubt about it? Show it girl!