My little snowglobe

I feel like I've been living in the middle of one of those little snowglobes, looking out and seeing the outside world, but not engaging in it very well. I'm in the middle of it all and I'm functioning amongst it, but I'm in my own little world. Then, occassionally the globe gets shook and we try to hold on for dear life - losing more vision to our surroundings and those outside the globe.

This analogy came to me this morning when I was reflecting on my feelings of disconnection with some of the people in my life. Even when I'm with them I feel like I'm not doing a very good job of interacting with them - like I'm there but I'm inside my own little globe. Maybe it's because I'm chasing a 2-year-old when we're together (perhaps it's time for some big people gatherings), but I'm also concerned that I'm so wrapped up in my own chaotic adventures that I've neglected to express my genuine care and interest in the happenings in their lives.

I recently attended a family reunion and a week later I realized that I had very few quality conversations with people I see very rarely. In another instance, I blurted out someone else's good news to someone else - not even realizing what I had done! I found myself having random thoughts and sharing them in the middle of my and others' conversations. It's time for me to re-engage, discontinue the use of the "I've been out of town" excuse, spend some quality time with those who are important to me, communicate effectively (which includes the listening skills I've written about here previously), and sift away the stuff that doesn't matter.

HELLO! Tap, tap on the glass. Can I come out before I get all shook up again?