This is not your real life. It is just a test. Had it been your real life, you would have been expected to be perfect.

Be mentally present. In other words, Please! Show up!

Most times we don’t understand how important it is to be mentally engaged to our circumstances. Autopilot kicks and we’re off and running. Half-way thinking about what we are doing while we are doing it. Or speaking it.

I think there is way too much multi-tasking going on that we forget to slow down and be present in the situations we find ourselves in. And of course, there isn’t time to actually listen, right?

Showing up doesn’t mean being perfect. It just means you come to the party dressed with a dish of some kind. Doesn’t even have to be home made. But like any good southern woman, at least take the time to take it OUT of the box and put it on a pretty plate.

When you show up, please be alert and attentive to what you are doing. Who you are speaking to? How are you speaking to them? What they are saying to you? How it is important?

When you use your words, and I hope you do often, remember they are people you are talking to. They are your family, your kids, spouse, neighbors, co-workers, friends, fellow parishioners. I’ve heard some of the harshest words from people in church.

Use your words, because people just aren’t the mind readers they once were.

And engage others with your dialogue. Invite them in to converse ‘with’ you. Life isn’t a one-act-play where you stand on the stage and give your monologue and walk off. You’re gonna have to show up AND exchange sometimes. I know, it’s not easy.  But we’re not perfect.

We have this life and we show up and it’s just a test. That you can re-take over and over again till you get it right. Or not. But we keep learning.

Mindfully yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole entire world