All in Being Present

Go Take a Hike...

Go Take a Hike...

Nathan Westwick
Being Present, The Journey

When I was a kid, people used to use that phrase as a send-off, getting rid of someone who was being difficult. At the time, it was considered a rude dismissal and people would get offended.

Funny how times change. When I think of the ways we dismiss people today, I think inviting someone to take a stroll through nature might be one of the kindest things we could do.

Here’s why: When I’m acting belligerent, it’s usually because I’m feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or I feel like life is out of control. I’m acting belligerent because I’m reaching for control of any situations that I might be able to influence—often because I’m feeling that I’ve lost all sense of agency to influence anything.

Can you relate?

Are you lonely? Try this…

Are you lonely? Try this…

Nathan Westwick
Being Present, Fighting for What's Good, Relationships, The Stuff That Matters

I came across an interesting quote about Mother Teresa and her observation that loneliness is the leprosy of the Western world.

Wow.

As devastating and alienating as leprosy was in the ancient world, apparently loneliness is what we get to deal with in our culture instead.

Loneliness is an interesting phenomenon. In my experience, I’ve felt lonely when there’s no one in the room, but often times even lonelier when in a room crowded full of people.

Why is that?

How on earth could it be that we can find ourselves lonely in the midst of the company of others?  

Because I’m guessing I’m not the only one who has ever felt this way.

My guess is, you can relate.

3 Things to Build More Margin in Your Life

3 Things to Build More Margin in Your Life

Nathan Westwick
Being Present, Business, Family, Life Abundant

Do you feel like you’re constantly on the go, rushing from one place to the next?  Rushing out the door to make it to work on time; packing up from work so you can take the kids to soccer practice; running home to make a quick dinner so the kids can get to bed at a reasonable hour?  Then you collapse on the couch and throw on a show so you can unwind a bit?

My life feels this way far too often.

I'm Having Trouble Getting Into the Christmas Spirit

I'm Having Trouble Getting Into the Christmas Spirit

Nathan Westwick
Family, Being Present

I can’t exactly pinpoint it.  I’d like to blame it on the recent events in San Bernardino, but I don’t think that’s it.  It would be easy to blame it on my busy work schedule, and the disproportionately high number of major decisions I’m balancing at the moment, but I don’t think that’s the lion’s share of it either.

It’s not that our house doesn’t look Christmas-y; we put up the tree and the Christmas lights the day after Thanksgiving, bought most of our presents before December 1st, and have them wrapped and displayed under the tree already.

Getting Lost In The Infinite...

Getting Lost In The Infinite...

Nathan Westwick
Being Present, Faith

If your life is anything like mine, you’re intimately familiar with the hectic day-to-day of running from one meeting to the next, frantically checking emails in between appointments, peeling yourself away from work in order to scarf down an early dinner before running the kids to soccer practice, only to finally allow pause sometime after 9pm where you’re too tired for much of anything before you finally collapse in bed only to start again the next day.

Your specific details may differ from mine, but busy is something I think we can all relate to.

The Miracle of Rain

The Miracle of Rain

Nathan Westwick
Being Present

I woke up this morning to the pitter-patter of rain.  I couldn’t help but offer a cozy smile as I pulled the blankets over me just a little more.

There is something inherently so soothing about rain, especially here in Southern California where it has been in such short supply these days.

Just like the gentle breeze on a spring day invites us out, rain invites us in.