Dreaming through conversations

Have you ever looked back over your day and thought, "Aw shucks, I really missed an opportunity to bless someone," or "Man, I should have said this...."

Just a few days ago I was mentally kicking myself for missing the opportunity to make someone feel special, just by saying a few words. I'm sure they didn't even miss it, but God brought it to my attention, and it probably would have made their day brighter.

I read this article just a few moments ago that addressed this very issue, and I had an Aha! moment. No, not that 80's group from Sweden (or wherever they were from). The author brought up the fascinating idea of visualizing conversations:

During my Sabbath moments, I quietly dream through the conversations I am scheduled to have. I often think about the tasks that populate my to-do list. As I imagine, I ask questions: How could I be useful in that situation? What might I say if he or she … Can I be a better listener? What word from God might come through me? It is in these imagining moments that God's Holy Spirit paints possibilities on our minds.

Here's the link if you're interested in reading the entire article: http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2011/fall/cutsharpen.html?start=6

I love the descriptive words he uses: "dream through," "paints possibilities." But the concept is startling to me because it's something I obviously had not thought of before. Why not think through your day or week and consider what you might say BEFORE you go into that meeting or lunch?

I've read of successful athletes doing this before games -- visualizing possible plays and thinking through how they would react; what they would do next and what outcome they would like to have.

It seems like a really mindful way of living life, which is what I've been thinking a lot of lately (see my last post on Time...). I want to SEE my life -- the people who inhabit it, the situations in which God places me, and the little, everyday details that can be so important when they are noticed and celebrated.

Seems like when I was in my teens and twenties I didn't have a problem noticing life because it was so new and exciting. But in my thirties and now my forties, I'd fallen into a sleepwalk when it came to opening my inner eyes and seeing the possibilities and excitement in day-to-day life.

Switchfoot has been the only band playing on my iPod and in my van lately because they are so good at getting me to open my eyes and examine my life. If there are two songs you must hear from them, let it be "Dare You to Move" and "This is Your Life." Well, maybe three: "Meant to Live" made a big impact on me as well. Actually, get their last five albums, really listen to the lyrics, and your life will most likely change in a big way. If you do this, let me know how it goes!

I feel like I'm changing, in a good way. God is bringing new life to me and I'm feeling refreshed and alive. Part of that coming alive is taking a deep breath and suddenly really noticing where I am. And that includes paying attention when God brings articles like the one above to me, or bands and music like Switchfoot's. I am so thankful to be alive, and I want to be a blessing.

So here's to taking time to think through our days instead of sleepwalking through them! Come alive, take a lungful of air, open your eyes, see your world! And don't spend any time regretting missed opportunities, because you've taken advantage of every one that's been sent your way.