Unplugged and Present
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, bringing whatever is on your heart today. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, do something that brings you comfort. Allow yourself to be present in this moment.
When was the last time you completely unplugged? How much more present and alive would you feel if you took a moment to truly be present with the world around you?
“Put down your cell phones, put everything away, and feel your blood pulsing in you, feel your creative impulse, feel your own spirit, your heart, your mind. Feel the joy of being alive and free.”
- Patti Smith
“Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time — past and future — the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.”
- Eckhart Tolle
James 4:14
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Food for Thought
A few weeks ago, I was returning from a week-long trip across the country, and being the planner that I am, I worked out my travels so that my flights allowed for a two-hour layover – enough time for a few moments of respite while I grabbed a bite to eat. Perfect!
That morning, I checked my bag and got through security without a problem. While I was waiting to board, I realized I had packed my headphones in my checked bag – I had intended to use my flight to prepare for my upcoming work trip. “No problem”, I thought “this is a short flight, I’ll have time to grab a cheap pair on my layover.”
We boarded the plane and waited for take off. The pilot came over the intercom to say that they were experiencing some maintenance issues and their crew was sorting everything out. “Shouldn’t be more than 15 minutes,” the pilot reassured us. “No problem,” I said to myself again. After all, I had plenty of time.
Fifteen minutes turned into an hour. I couldn’t help but think about my layover window getting smaller and smaller. I also didn’t realize that, being in a rural location, my phone had been searching for service, and had very little juice left.
“No problem!” This had become my mantra. The next flight was a three hour flight with outlets and entertainment. If I could just get to that flight, I could plug in and maybe shake off the stress of the delay.
We landed with five minutes to make the connecting flight! I walked up just as they were boarding (hallelujah!).
I boarded my flight ready to sit down, plug in, and relax. But, when I got to my seat there was nothing – no outlet, no entertainment, no phone, no cheapo headphones, no preparing for work. This time I didn’t think, “No problem.” This time I thought, “You’ve got to be kidding me! What am I supposed to do on this flight for three hours?!”
It was as if the universe was forcing me to “unplug”.
I had been on-the-go the whole week prior – packing my schedule full to ensure I didn’t miss anything. That is my typical routine. I couldn’t remember the last time I was forced to be still and silent for three hours.
I sat there, still for a minute. I then remembered that I had my journal along with me for the trip. I had every intention of journaling during my week away, but hadn’t found the time.
I took it out, grabbed a pen, and spent the next three hours journaling in thoughtful reflection, and in lovely conversation with the couple next to me who were on their way to visit family and expecting their first child. I flashed a smile and gave encouragement to the sweet family across the isle from me, who had three little ones under the age of five. During the flight, I became more aware of the world around me and less consumed by my own list of to-dos. I was literally forced to be unplugged and present in the moment, and I was grateful for it.
I never realized how much I really needed it. Truthfully, I think we all need it.
Life has no shortage of distractions. If we aren’t careful we can be so focused on the distractions that we miss out on the opportunities to connect with our community and with ourselves. I’m thankful I accidentally packed away my headphones that morning, because I would’ve missed this precious opportunity.
As we move forward this week, I hope we can all take moments to unplug – to sit in silence – to journal – to engage in conversation with a friend, neighbor, or stranger. It nourishes the soul in a way that no distraction can, and in turn has the opportunity to nourish our communities, and our greater world. May we always welcome and be grateful for those sacred moments when we can unplug and be present in the moment.
See if you can go a whole day without the distraction of your phone, a TV screen, computer screen, etc. At the end of the day or the next day, journal about your experience – was it difficult, liberating, etc.?
For a printable version of today's reflection Click Here!
Blessing
Loving God,
You created us for one another, and call us to be intentional within the world around us. Help us to set down the things that can distract us from seeing the opportunities to reach out. Help us to look for ways that we can be more connected within ourselves and with one another.
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
Share a time when you were able to be unplugged. In what ways did you feel more connected to the world around you?
What would it look like for you to allow yourself to unplug? Perhaps you and an accountability buddy write reminders to yourselves to do so, and post that reminder in a place where you can often see it.
Think of two or three things you can do with your unplugged time that would be restorative for you – journaling, hiking, napping, getting coffee with a friend, etc. Make a commitment to yourself to do one unplugged thing a week.
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Ask your kiddo what it means to connect. Talk together about the importance of connecting with loved ones and the world around you.
Take your kiddos on a nature scavenger hunt - go through the alphabet and see how many things you can find that start with each letter.
Instead of screen time, sit down to play a card game, or a board game together. Notice the connections you are making, and the laughter and conversation that are a part of those moments of connection.
Meet Our Welcoming Voice!
Kendall Grubb is our CEO! She, her husband, and their daughter are a military family who calls Nashville, TN home. Earning degrees in music and business administration from Belmont University, she jumps at any opportunity she gets to create something new and help bring it to life. From writing and performing music to leading TWT, she loves the power that song and story have to connect people from all walks of life!
To hear more from Kendall throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!
Here are Five Things to Remember When Setting Your Own Welcome Table!