Happy 4th of July! I can’t believe it’ll already be here this Sunday. Wishing you a fun-filled weekend with family and friends celebrating all the July 4th festivities.
We had a great family reunion last weekend celebrating three big festivities—our grandson’s graduation and birthday party and a belated Father’s Day celebration. My daughter, who lives in North Carolina and whom we’ve not seen in nearly two years due to the pandemic, surprised our grandson by flying in for his party. It was wonderful to be together after so much time apart, although the time together went by too fast! Yet I’m so thankful for the time we did have together and hope we can do it again soon.
It’s been quite a week of connecting and reconnecting, not only with family, but also through Eva Marie Workshops. On Tuesday, we hosted a Coffee Connect with eighteen women. All of us enjoyed getting reacquainted and making new friends through good conversation, laughter, sharing and ice cream sundaes. These types of events fulfill the very mission of Eva Marie Workshops—to bring women together in community, to inspire and create a safe environment for them to share and connect.
What I noticed with all the various events this past week was how everyone was so grateful to be together. People are savoring their time together after all the time in quarantine. No one was in a hurry to have the time come to an end. I began to wonder if before COVID we made the time necessary to truly engage in each other’s lives? Did it take a pandemic and quarantine to understand the importance of slowing down, connecting, listening and enjoying the simple things of life like time together?
I know for myself there have been times in the past that I wasn’t fully engaged, my mind was thinking about all that I had to do. Why does it take something so tragic in our lives for us to fully understand relationships are the most important and valuable asset we have? Time goes by so fast and how much do we miss because of other things that take our time or preoccupy our thoughts? Our bodies may be present, but our minds might be focused on the next item on our to do list.
What do most of us want? To feel connected to another. All of us are different, but that’s one thing we have in common—to connect. To know there is someone who cares and will listen to and authentically engage with us. That they are present with us in body, mind and soul. I know we’re getting busier again, and many of us have jobs to do, families to care for, and social obligations to attend to. But we can still slow down a bit and check in with ourselves to make sure that we’re truly engaged with those around us. How do we make it a priority to listen, to hear another’s heart, ask questions, give them grace and remember even the busiest people can be lonely? Sometimes it’s the simple act of eye contact, a smile, a kind word or a touch that says I care and I’m here for you.
Are you “all in” when you’re engaged in conversation or with those around you?
Thank you Marie. It was a wonderful time getting together and meeting new women and some from before. Your words are so true. Being present is a blessing. Thank you Marie.
You’re welcome. It’s fun when we can be together enjoying each others company.
Thank you for this and all you do. Wonderfully said. I am so sad that I missed you ladies coffee connect. I was on my way home at that time. Next one!! Have a blessed 4th weekend 🙏
You’re welcome. Join us in July.
Love this, Marie. You have such a way with words. Each word is so well thought out.
Love you ❤
Happy 4th everyone🇺🇸😊❤🙏
Thank you for your encouraging words. Enjoy your 4th of July.
There is great wisdom in those words. Thank you for offering up these wonderful opportunities for fellowship 💙💙
Thank you for your encouragement. You are welcome.
Love this Marie!! Can’t wait to get together again ❤
Thank you. Yes, I’m looking forward to getting together soon.
Love this and I couldn’t have said it better. We had such a great time at the party ❤️❤️💕
Thank you. Yes, it was a fun party.