Live in the Moment This Year

By Miles Martin

Dean of Athletics

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break. To be honest, I’m not a big New Year’s person. I have never really made any resolutions nor put much thought into it. I’m not sure why; it’s not that I didn’t enjoy the New Year; this is just how I felt… until this year. I’m not sure if it’s different because I became a father this year or just me getting another year older, but there are some resolutions or changes I want to make about myself. I’d challenge you to consider these as well.

First, Stay In The Moment. I’ve always struggled with this at any stage and age in my life. I fail at this in many ways daily. For example, I sometimes talk to my dad on the phone on my drive home, all the while thinking of what I need to get done and the chores that need to be completed when I get home. Or, while on a walk with my wife, son, and dog on a Sunday afternoon, I’m lesson planning for school on Monday, thinking of the tasks and meetings I need to accomplish. This task of staying in the moment is even more difficult today with the use of technology and social media. Are you scrolling through TikTok or Instagram during dinner time instead of giving your family your full attention in conversation? Stay in the moment, be present in the now.

Second, Appreciate The Small Things. I hope to do more of this while living in the moment. Countless times through the years, I’ve failed at truly being grateful for the small things in those beautiful brief moments, and before you know it, they’re gone. Whether it’s a teachable moment in class and a student sees success, or it’s on the soccer field for practice and your players are truly coming together and playing as a team, or at home while holding your little baby boy, rocking in the chair because he’s having a rough night sleeping. Be grateful for those times, no matter how big or small. Take a mental picture, and hold on to it for as long as you can.  

So, if you haven’t made any resolutions, or if you’re like me, just knowing I need to make a change, I challenge you to think about one or both of these things. I hope maybe you and I can get a little more enjoyment and appreciation out of the time we’re here.