I have come to discover that I enjoy uplifting and powerful musicals. Near where I live there is a small community theater that rotates popular musicals and my wife and I took our kids to The Sound of Music. I will say without shame that I love that musical and hope my kids will come to learn to appreciate the arts, music, and the amazing talent required to pull off these productions.
There was a moment during the show that my son (age 6) dropped his water bottle on the floor. At that exact moment he went to retrieve his water bottle the staff did a set change. It took less than 10 seconds and the stage looked completely different. When my son looked back up at the stage, he was shocked. “Dad, where did all that come from, how did they do that?” he whispered. If I were clever, I would have said something witty and smart but rather I told him the actors pulled the stuff out onto the stage so fast that it all happened in the brief time he picked up his water bottle.
It was a small moment but caused me to reflect. My son experienced a little bit of wonder and magic by not seeing the details of the set change. I realized I spend much of my mental energy in the details of how things will get done. We are in the process of buying a home and I am knee deep, maybe neck deep, it lots of tiny details. Who has the best rates? How do we negotiate with the sellers through two agents? What do we remodel vs what do we keep? How do I transfer the utilities? How fast of internet can I get? How do I coordinate all moving logistics? I could go on and on. Until now I have not slowed down enough to relish in the magic and excitement of buying our first home and creating family memories. I have dropped the water bottle and I have felt a little wonder and magic.
Can you drop your water bottle to feel the magic? Take the next 5 minutes to step away from that project that is consuming your best energy. Write down the magic that is behind all the detail.
When I dropped the water bottle, I felt more grounded. I still need to attend to all the details but now I am not lost in the details but have found greater meaning and purpose in them.
