Making the Most | Investing in the Summer
MAKING THE MOST
by Alex Hardt,
Associate Pastor – Youth and Young Adults
“Defining moments shape our lives, but we
don’t have to wait for them to happen. We can be the authors of them.” -Chip
Heath and Dan Heath’s new book, The Power of Moments.
I love summer because it’s a time that we get
to change our rhythms, have fun, spend time with family, and enjoy the
beautiful weather. It’s usually a time when we go to camp, or on vacation, or
do something we normally don’t do. It’s also a time when we have to figure out
what to do with our kids as most parents still have to work. It’s also a time
when we get an opportunity to create unforgettable moments. Unforgettable
moments matter in our families because while day-to-day consistency is the
foundation of our relationships, we remember our lives in moments. Typically we
define unforgettable moments as times when we empty out the piggy banks and
fork over the cash but the truth is, unforgettable moments are not defined by
what we spend on them but what we invest in them.
You may think an expensive vacation is what it
takes to make a memory, but research shows we can make our time together more
memorable by attending to three aspects of that time, whether it’s close to
home or far away. – Kara Powell
I think about one of my favorite moments as a
parent and it had little to do with the cash spent but rather on the time
invested. Watching my daughter or son ride their bike for the first time
without training wheels was glorious. Or helping my kids to discover that
floating is far superior to sinking in the pool was magnificent. So, how do we
utilize the gift of summer to make unforgettable moments? There are three S
phrases that help me to cultivate these moments.
Sensory Experience
I love going places like the beach, the park,
the movies, and theme parks because they are sensory experiences. At the beach
you see the beautiful landscape while feeling the sand beneath your toes, you
smell and hear the crash of the waves, and yes you taste the salt in the air. Creating
that sensory experience doesn’t mean we have to go anywhere. In fact, one can
create that same affect when playing games or watching movies at home or
creating something as a family. I love building things with my kids because it
engages all the senses. The kids complain at first but soon after they are in
awe of their creation and appreciate the time invested in them. It’s less about
doing the task and more about creating an experience together. Boosting sensory
appeal is important because our brains encode memories more deeply when our
experiences engage multiple senses.
“Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own
trouble.” Matthew 6:34
Savor the Moment
Look, I’ll be honest, we live in a digital
world and it’s hard to be present for situations or events when there is so
much else going on around us. Our phones, tablets, computers, tv, and other
digital media are buzzing 24/7. Our sleep patterns are constantly interrupted
because of this technology. I love technology so I’m not bashing on it but
there is a place for it. When you are investing into a person you care about
like your kid, parent, friend, or family member turn off the technology and be
present. Enjoy the moments you have with those people. Show the people with
that you care more about them then what’s buzzing in your pocket. Trust me, you
and the other person are more likely to cultivate unforgettable moments and
remember them if you’re not hash tagging, instagramming, and posting
everything.
“No one can serve two masters. For you will
hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”- Matthew 6:24
Shush Up and Speak
This is a one-line contradiction. Typically,
in conversations we tend to speak then listen and that’s good, but what if we
were able to communicate a deeper level of care simply by flipping the script.
Yup, it can be really awkward at times to talk to someone, even those you care
about. It’s really hard when you are hit with those silences in mid
conversation, outlandish comments, references that one of you has no clue of or
the differing of interest. How does anyone hold a conversation anymore? Be
intentional about your conversations. My conversation time is limited so I
think through the conversation beforehand, I learn their lingo/interests, even
look up some conversational starters. I intentionally invest time prior so that
our time together can be more memorable. It’s also just as important to be
responsive. Respond to the conversation at hand and engage in that particular
moment. Communicate your desire to be here by receiving their words and then
respond accordingly.
According to the Heath brothers, the best
research on relational moments boils down to this one sentence: “Our
relationships are stronger when we perceive that our partners are responsive to
us.” Why is responsiveness so important? Because it packs a threefold punch of
understanding, validation, and caring. -Fuller Youth Institute
Practically Speaking
- Invest in those you care about
by creating unforgettable moments
- Be deliberate about the moments
you are creating. Take time to plan through the whole experience and not
just the task of “doing” the experience
- Be present and turn off
electronics
- Be intentional about your
conversations. Receive what they have to say and respond to it
Resource //
More ideas at this Blog Here
https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/blog/unforgettable-summer
A great book about creating extraordinary impact
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip
Heath
