Be in the Present by Kathy Emerson, DTM

When my Division Governor, Darlene Williams, asked that I give the Invocation at her upcoming contest, I gladly accepted for two reasons: as a Toastmaster we say "Yes" to opportunities, and I had never performed this role before so I could extend my comfort zone. Over the next few weeks my message took shape. Feedback at the contest was encouraging and positive, with requests to share it with a larger audience, such as in our District 84 SunTalker.   

Invocation at Division B Contest, District 84                                             April 19, 2015
by Kathy Emerson, DTM, Harbor City Toastmasters club 3042, Melbourne, Florida
Toastmaster since 7/1/99
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For this moment, I want you to please set distractions aside, don’t look at your program, don’t reach for your phone, don’t think about anything else.
Just listen.

Take this moment to focus on being in the present and not think about what you should be doing, or what you will be doing next.

When you interact with others, set distractions aside and focus on taking an interest in what others are saying and doing.

Most people are so accustomed to having half of someone else's focus at any given moment that this gesture alone will make others feel important.
They will have your full attention.

We know that technology can be a distraction.
I am not asking that you get rid of technology.

I am asking that you do recognize when it is not working for you, recognize when it is not necessary, recognize when it is interrupting your present.

And when should we be in the present?
With our families, with our children, with co-workers and with everyone who needs are attention and with whom we need theirs.

Because right now, the most important thing that you are doing is what you are doing right now ………. Otherwise, you would not be doing it.

Enjoy the moment by being in the present.
Know that when you are interested, you are interesting.

A short while ago a neighbor from a few blocks away stopped by to see me to let me know that we know someone in common and it is just such a coincidence.
Joe is a lovely man, who never fully recovered from the stroke he suffered years ago. Having this conversation would take time, and that is exactly what happened. There were no distractions, just me and Joe.
Before he left, he thanked me for talking with him and gave me a hug.
When I thought about it, he did most of the talking, I was listening and engaged. He had my full attention.

I thought about how this gesture impacted both of our days.

I believe so much of what we need to accomplish begins with listening and with being in the present.
By being aware, you may discover that you are a really amazing listener.

You will be engaged, and engaging.
The more you do this, the better you will be at it. 

There are many quotes on living in the present, on being in the moment.
The one that works with my message is a very simple one by the comedian, Jerry Seinfeld,

“We have fallen into a trap of ever-widening orbits of contact,
and there is a total disregard for the present moment.”

You have my attention. Do I have yours?
Please use your opportunities, your abilities, your interactions to practice being in the present.

When you think about what else you should be doing, or what you need to do next, finish those thoughts and come back to the present.
You can manage this.

Because right now, the most important thing that we are doing is what we are doing right now.