Hey, good to see you again. Sit back, kick your shoes off and enjoy the story.

Spring is definitely here and so I figured it was time to start barbecue season. I pulled out the electric grill and gave it a good scrubbing. I found the utensils, apron and mitt in the back of the garage and the little butcher-block cart in the corner of the living room under a few stacks of magazines and a forlorn cactus in a wicker pot. I wiped down the table and chairs on the porch, wheeled everything into place and began to plan the menu. We’d have steak and potatoes with lots of veggies for my sister who doesn’t eat meat. It was only 4 and I could run to the store and get everything and would easily be ready by dinnertime.

I grabbed my sunglasses, slipped into my moccasins and stuck my hand into my shoulder bag to check how much cash I had…

‘WHERE’S MY WALLET?’

Hmm. I thought back. I had taken it out when the mailman brought that package by, then I put it in the kitchen. But that was yesterday. I ran over to the kitchen counter to check. I pushed the keys, a few drinking glasses and an empty vase around a bit, but didn’t see my wallet. Hmmm. Maybe in my jacket pocket. I went out to the coat closet and checked all my pockets. No wallet. Hmmm. I thought about it some more. Maybe on the couch. I rummaged around a bit there, checked under a few newspapers. No wallet. I went back to the kitchen and checked the counters again. Hmmm. Keys. Glasses. Vases. A few books. My reading glasses. But no wallet. Back out to the closet. I checked the pockets again. A few coins, 2 used tissues and a snickers. No wallet. Hmmm.  I went into my office and checked my desk. Papers, a few pens, a stack of business cards, assorted cables. But no wallet. In the hallway maybe? I dug through the basket near the door. Winter hats, 3 gloves, a dog bone. No wallet. I went back to the kitchen to think and pushed my keys and the vase out of the way so I could sit on the counter. Where could that wallet be?

Then it dawned on me. Of course! It was in my bedroom. I had put it on top of my dresser yesterday before going to bed. I ran into my bedroom and sure enough, there it was. Relieved I had found it, I put my bag over my shoulder and walked to the door…

‘WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE MY KEYS?’

?!?

Crazy, huh? I must have looked at those keys on the kitchen counter at least 3 times, but I never really saw them. I was so focused on finding my wallet that I couldn’t see anything else.

We all do things like this from time to time. We want something so much that we become unaware of everything else around us. We stay focused on one goal, persistently engrossed in its achievement and often don’t see the many other opportunities that present themselves along the way – even the little opportunities that, if taken, would help us reach our goal! Life isn’t just about setting goals and achieving them. It’s also about, well, living and taking some of the spontaneous chances along the way. It’s all about having goals, eating the snickers in your coat pocket and being aware of all the other little things happening around you. Who knows, maybe one of those little things will turn out to be something really terrific.

Admittedly, focus is great (think of my ants), but also staying open and aware of what’s happening around you makes life a lot more interesting and, in many cases, will also help you achieve the goals you’ve been working on.

So if you’re busy achieving a goal, stop for one moment and have a look around you. Is there anything you should be aware of? Are there any keys you’re not seeing?

Happy hunting,
Lisa

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!