Shutter Sisters

no distractions

By

Racing against the clock today trying get a million things done all at at once, I felt more scattered than focused. Late in the afternoon I was on a call with a friend (someone I’m working with on a big project) and  before we could even get into the work part of the call, I was interrupted on my end by my daughter bounding in from her first day of High School. I got immediately distracted, Uh, er, I think I have to go. But, I really need to talk to you about just a few things. Uuuuh, er, um…shoot. Let me think.I paused for a moment trying to figure out how I was going to stretch myself to be in two places at once; with  my work and with my daughter.

Go, go, my friend ordered,That is much more important than this. Go. We’ll talk later.

Indeed.

How was it that so quickly I lost sight of what really was most important? How easily I tried to put off what was happening under my roof, with my kids and keep them on hold while I worked? There’s a lot of that around here with projects and pressures and so many things to do. It’s amazing to me how often I say, give me a minute.

But sometimes, there’s the non-negotiables. The things that matter so much that everything else must fall to the wayside; the other demands of the day totally blocked out until all you can see is right in front of you; no distractions. There is such a freedom in those moments. The freedom of letting go and being all in.

When my kids were babies, there was a lot of that kind of time. When you didn’t have a choice. When tiny mouths needed to be fed. When small bodies needed to be rocked. When bright eyes needed you to pay attention. No distractions. It’s so different now and yet so much the same. Sometimes though, it’s harder to see the need. But rest assured, it’s still there.

Whether you’ve got teen-agers or babies or spouses or parents or pets or friends or neighbors or anyone or anything that might need you, remember the non-negotiables. When all you can do is be there and be all in. 

Show us today how you capture a moment through your lens that removes everything but what matters the very most.

Comments

  5. With the start of the school year, my 3 year old has found himself very bored during the day. His brother, the first grader, used to keep him busy–would challenge him on all fronts and now he doesn't know what to do with himself. I have had to learn to put away a lot of the work I would do during their playtime to pay him some of my undivided attention. ESPECIALLY when he came to me very quietly with a box on his head– http://flic.kr/p/ai9vGn

  6. during those first days of high school there are so many stories she'll want to tell – you'll be there to listen.
    seems just yesterday my daughter was coming home from that first day at high school. such a big day in her life and no way to call home for reassurance ( it is pretty intimidating in the big school). she's now in her last year of college and of course has the freedom to call home – she called me on her walk to her first class of her last year, talking the whole half a mile she has to walk and I was there to listen. i love cell phones – i can still be there when she needs me.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5992241835/

  8. I know just how you feel. Sometimes I find myself wondering "What exactly just happened?" and wondering if I just cheated myself and someone else out of those precious moments that mean so much. Forgiveness for our own selves does not always come easy, but we must try to do as you said. We must live in and soak up the moments that we will always remember. Childhood flies by too fast to do otherwise. Have a great day!

  9. yes… i get this!

    it's exactly why i paused to take time with my sister and a friend, and let them enjoy my son the way i try to, but don't often get to… and how it freed me up to capture it all on camera. a truly special time of soaking it all in… my son, his sweetness, my family and friends and how they get to enjoy him and interact with him. i had so much other "stuff" i could have been doing… "important" things. but this was time valuable time spent much more pricelessly…
    http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2011/08/why-my-camera-is-worth-its-wait-in-gold.html

  14. I love this post. I am constantly trying to focus, but it's so hard with work, traffic, cell phones, computers….information overload. But there are those moments when you are snapped back into what really matters. Here are some of my favorite moments like that.

    Tiny toes:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/photohugger/6075928504/in/photostream/

    My nephew's sweet smile.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/photohugger/6075721752/in/photostream/

    My niece discovering something new:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/photohugger/5973631204/in/photostream/

    New life….new family:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/photohugger/5948674914/in/photostream/

  15. I'm so there with you, Tracey. I've learned to stop and listen when my pup wants to play, because he's not getting any younger and he already stays at home while I'm at my day job! Besides, I should know by now that he has his playful spurts and then he's ready to curl up and snuggle the rest of the night. And it forces me to slow down and stop thinking about work, too. 🙂 http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/6080914254/in/photostream