I came home from vacation more rested than when I left—and it wasn’t because I rested.

Presence wasn’t something the circumstances gave me—I created it deliberately before I arrived. It’s Principle #1: I am the creator of my life experience, in action!

Summer vacation is definitely over at CMH Coaching for Life. I came home inspired, invigorated, and ready to jump back in, and man have we been working! It feels so good. Interestingly, though, I believe it is because, while I was away, I had one thought consistently on my mind:

Be where your feet are.

My home is generally pretty quiet. Between Troy, Jared, and me, there’s very little noise or chaos during the day. We each have our own work and our own space, and when we come together, it’s fairly easy to slow down and give one another our attention.

Vacation was a completely different story. I spent my time in a busy household with four children between the ages of 2 and 11, two very busy parents running their own businesses, and lots of outside activities. There were soccer games, carpool, shopping, meals, conversations, dishes, errands, and people everywhere. I loved it.

Before I ever arrived, though, I had made a decision.

I was going to fully be where my feet were.

That meant having slower, more thoughtful conversations, stopping what I was doing and making direct eye contact when someone was talking to me, and not trying to multitask—ever. I lost my phone over and over again because I was using it so infrequently. I was deliberately present whether I was loading the dishwasher, riding in the car, sitting at a soccer game, or playing with my two-year-old grandson, who would like everyone to know that his name is NOT “darlin’.” His name is Eli.

The funny thing is, I ran around like a crazy woman all week, and somehow I came home more rested than when I left. Happier, too. Why? Because

I let my brain run on a single track of joy. I chose to be fully present where I was—in thought, in word, and in deed. It was revolutionary.

And here’s the part I keep thinking about: the circumstances didn’t create that experience for me. I created it before I ever arrived. That is Creator-based® Coaching Principle #1 in action: I am the creator of my life experience. I couldn’t control how busy the house would be, how many places we needed to go, how much noise there would be, or what anyone else would do. But I could choose where I put my mind. I could choose my attention. I could choose presence.

Those choices created some beautiful fruits: more connection, more laughter, more peace, more gratitude, more joy, and surprisingly, more rest.

Our theme this month is Blessed, and this experience helped me see something differently. Sometimes experiencing our blessings isn’t about having more. Sometimes it’s about becoming present enough to notice what is already here. I came home feeling closer to my Creator and deeply grateful for the life He and I have created together (mostly Him)—and for the people I was blessed to be completely present with for a little while.

So try this with me this week. Don’t try to be more productive. Don’t try to perfectly organize your attention. Simply notice where your feet are, and then be there. I’d love to hear what fruits you notice when you begin practicing this.

We’ll talk more about it next week.

Today, choose one ordinary moment—washing dishes, driving, listening to someone you love—and put your whole self there.

All my love,