Unpacking the Now: How To Be Present In Your Work

“It is in the present that we encounter Him, not yesterday nor tomorrow, but today” (CCC #2659).

Your current reality might look like fundraising for your venture. It might look like changing diapers while brainstorming how to reach more clients. It might look like taking a walk to step away from the pressure for just one moment.

But whatever your present reality looks like, the present is where you can encounter God.Venerable Fulton Sheen once said “the Now-moment is the moment of salvation. “

What does that mean? 

Every day you have the choice to be present to the challenges and blessings God has placed before you. Your opportunity for salvation is here.

When you focus on the duties and experiences in front of you now, God manifests His will for your life. He is also generous enough to give you the actual graces you need to fulfill His will when you are rooted in the present.

How can you begin? Here are 3 ways to seize the “now-moment” today. 

Be Present to God

If you find yourself viewing prayer as another thing to “accomplish” in your day, consider a different perspective. One of simply recognizing God’s presence more often. 

 “I always begin my prayer in silence, for it is in the silence of the heart that God speaks. God is the friend of silence.” - Mother Teresa. 

In between meetings, during your commute, before you start a new project, after your lunch break, take even 30 seconds of silence. 

Another way to become more aware of God’s presence in your daily life is to practice the Examen before bed. As you continue to reflect on God’s presence at the end of each day, you will be more able to identify Him in the present.

Be Present to Others

Your greatest opportunity to “love your neighbor as yourself” is to be present to others (Mt 22:39). 

Next time you switch between online meetings, consider taking 30 seconds to invite the Holy Spirit into your next encounter. Much like cleansing your palate during a wine tasting, resetting between activities with quick breaths of prayer can transform how you relate to others.

Other things that seem “small” can really make a difference when it comes to being present to others. Something as simple as a smile or remembering someone’s birthday with a note plants the seeds of heroic virtue. Don’t be fooled though, these things still require intentional effort. 

Identify 3 habits you can form to be present to the people you talk to every day, including your family. How will you start building these habits?

Be Present to Yourself

How much of your day do you spend wishing you were doing something else?

You won’t always want to do what God calls you to at every moment of every day. It will often be difficult and hard. But by asking yourself some honest questions, you can begin to dialogue with God about what you want, what you’re fearful of, excited about, unhappy with, whether you’re unsatisfied, etc. 

Remember, while holiness consists of conforming your will to Christ’s, sometimes God plants the seeds for your next step through your desires.

While life isn’t about always getting what you want, it’s important to acknowledge what you want and bring these things to prayer.

This week, identify a talent in yourself that is going unused. Maybe it’s been on the back of your mind for a while. How can you start using this in a way that serves?

What Now?

Remember, you’re not omnipresent. You can leave that up to God.

You don’t have to constantly monitor God, others, and yourself. You simply have to take each moment that God presents to you as it is. And be as present as possible to that one thing.

Passing a friend on your walk to the conference room? Say hello.

Have a few minutes to yourself? Check in on how you feel.

Driving by your parish on your way home from running errands? Turn off the music and listen to God’s voice.

Take the wisdom of Jacques Phillipe to heart: When “we don’t put our hearts sufficiently into today….[we] miss graces we should be receiving. Let us live each moment to the full, not worrying about whether time is going quickly or slowly but welcoming everything given us moment by moment.” (Interior Freedom)