Here’s today’s million dollar question . . . “What’s so important that you are willing to not be present, not be in the moment?” Before you answer it, please let me put that question into a context.
Somewhere in a neighborhood restaurant, a couple is having a meal together, catching up. One of their cell phones goes off, its answered and their time together must wait. And let’s be honest, most of the time its a nonsense call. Even if it isn’t, would the world end if you simply called that person back within an hour? Note: I used to think the world would end immediately if I didn’t check my blackberry immediately. Mrs Castain set me straight on how annoying that habit was and I’m now a changed man. It still amazes me how the world can somehow manage without me when I shut off my blackberry.
On Twitter I constantly see tweets “At my kid’s play” or “Having dinner with my family” Whenever there is a conference of some kind, there are people who feel a need to tweet about it, while its happening. Example: “Joe Jones is up on stage now talking about widgets” Here’s a groundbreaking idea: stop tweeting about it and (ready for this) just be in the moment dude! If you are having dinner with your family or catching the kid’s play, they are a tad more important than us, no? Besides, maybe you’ll learn something from Joe Jones while he’s up on stage if you learn to sit still and listen.
I step into the bathroom at an airport and some clown is taking a leak talking on his cell defiling the sanctity of the urinal. Meanwhile, one pathetic ring tone later, a confident “hello” resonates from a stall. So, let me see if I get this straight. We are now embracing multitasking to such a degree that its completely alright to do so when going to the bathroom? For those of you who partake in that behavior . . . how do you live with yourself? Think about this for a moment . . . The 6th grade version of you would want to kick your ass for (or at least push you into the urinal and flush you for such behavior!) Get a clue!
And just to illustrate that my house is indeed made of glass, I have this horrible habit of watching TV with my family while I am on my laptop computer. Shame on me! It certainly wouldn’t kill me to put aside what I’m doing to enjoy my family!
So, what are you allowing to take you out of the moment?
Is it worth it?
I just received some bad news that I need to convey to you immediately and you’re not going to like it. Life is no longer a dress rehearsal . . . its the real deal gang. Complete with expiration dates.
Today, you are invited to live your life . . . fully present!
This means:
Stop tweeting about what you’re doing . . . and just do it! Methinks your followers will thank you too 🙂
Shut off your F’n cell phone when having a meal and don’t let me see you on one at a urinal (especially you women)
Close your laptop and enjoy that time with your family . . . they grow up way to fast
And most of all, please add this one to your “To Do’s”
Stop Taking It All So Seriously!
Life goes by pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
Ferris Bueller
Carpe Diem!
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