From The Editor | Sarah Nicastro | August Insider
We’re often reminded of the importance of presence; urged to enjoy the current moment. But how are we supposed to do that when, despite not even having made a back-to-school list, Target has Halloween stuff out? Or, less than a month into Q3, we’re planning for 2027?
Much of the world around us is at odds with true presence and it’s our responsibility to take back control.
If we let those influences take charge, they’ll keep us one (to one hundred) steps ahead of where we actually are, continually. Next thing we know, we’ve missed countless “current moments” we were supposed to cherish.
A friend said to me today, “I’ve been being lazy. On purpose.” I think we need to do this more often – at least, I know I do. It’s an act of rebellion, really.
The issue is it isn’t easy to opt out of all this programming and pressure. I’d argue, in fact, that it often feels impossible. And some of it is – there are valid responsibilities in life and in business that require us to plan, to look ahead, and to think about the future. But I know I’m guilty of spending much more time looking ahead than is necessary, and I’d bet many of you are, too.
I’m writing this on August 4th – my kids return to school on the 31st. Yet it feels like summer is already over – fall travel is booked, events and initiatives underway, and next thing I know someone will ask me about plans for Thanksgiving dinner. But I still want to make memories with my boys in our weeks remaining!
And I intend to do so, even if imperfectly (a guarantee). How? By thinking about Halloween costumes come mid-September (or later). Opting out of as much of the extra pressures as possible. Knowing the work will get done, even if I decide to take an afternoon trip to the beach with the kids on a whim.
A few weeks ago, I overheard my son talking to a friend who was coming over. His friend was hitting him with question after question about what they were going to do and when, what to bring, and so on. And my son says, “Dean, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, okay?” As I laughed out loud, I realized how often I utter that phrase – and how much of a life philosophy it has become (born of necessity, really).
And, honestly, I’m going to double down on that philosophy for the rest of this month (and beyond). Because we spend too much of our time, thanks to our own wiring but also many forces of influence, thinking about bridges we don’t have to cross today, this week, this month, or even this year. And, despite knowing that we already have what it takes to cross that bridge when we do get to it!
So, if any of this resonates, join me in my quest to spend as little time as possible thinking about bridges that aren’t todays to cross. Including Halloween costumes (can you tell that really irks me?). And instead let’s take back our August and exert that effort instead on enjoying whatever bits of summer remain.