I haven’t been paying very good attention lately.  To what?  Oh, coffee tables, wine glasses, curbs…

I first realized how clueless I was to my surroundings when my friend (and amazing intuitive teacher) noticed my multitude of bruises on my shins.  Where did they come from, she asked?  I didn’t even remember bumping into anything.  I always have bruises all over my body that I cannot identify.  There are just gentle reminders, she said, to remember to pay attention.

Note to self:  unattractive photographic angle

Then, while loading the dishwasher, I broke a glass.  I was racing to finish and thinking about something else when it slipped out of my hand.  Our crazy summer routine leaves such little margin between things I feel like I am always racing!

The big clue came last night when I was driving (or more like speeding because I was running late from picking up swim team carpool) to a tennis match.  I wanted to make sure I was turning on the right road so I looked down at my navigation system when, “BAM!” up on the curb I went and “POP!” went my tire.

Ok, I’m getting it loud and clear:  “Slow down and pay attention!!!”

So, the next day, my kids and I made a trip to the car dealership for a new tire. Now we were forced given the opportunity to slow down because we are no longer in charge anymore.  When it stopped raining, we walked leisurely through the car lot, and I called for Thomas to keep up.  He didn’t hear me because he was enthralled by water rushing out of a downspout.  He probably stared at it for 2-3 minutes, amazed at such a simple thing.  And I thought how lucky kids are that it is so easy for them to pay attention.