Stand and Stare: The Beauty of This Moment
Ed Clementi
Founder & CEO, Inspired Fire | From Assistant to Managing Director | Bold Executive Coaching for Leaders Ready to Leave a Legacy
The year is winding down, and there’s something magical in the air. December’s days feel softer, illuminated by the warm glow of holiday lights. Families come together, laughter fills rooms, and the crisp winter air carries a sense of nostalgia and possibility. For a moment, the world seems to pause, offering us an opportunity to reflect on what matters most.
This week, I had the chance to spend time with friends, family, and old colleagues—as many of us do this time of year. We caught up after a long year, shared stories, laughed, offered support, and celebrated achievements together. In those moments of joy and gratitude, I forced myself to pause and truly soak it all in. I watched as we gathered, smiled, and connected. It struck me that I wished this wasn’t just reserved for the year’s end or holiday parties, but something we carried throughout the year. That pause—that simple act of being present—is a gift, and it reminded me of the importance of slowing down to truly experience life.
Yet, how often do we truly pause to embrace it?
We’re a world in constant motion, preoccupied with tomorrow’s demands or yesterday’s regrets. Deadlines, ambitions, and responsibilities often pull us away from the beauty and simplicity of now. In the rush to achieve, we lose sight of the fleeting moments that make life extraordinary. And yet, life’s deepest joys are found in those very moments—not in the imagined future, but in the here and now.
As we close the chapter on this year, I invite you to consider this: the present moment is your greatest gift. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is uncertain. But this moment? This is where life happens.
The Wisdom of “Leisure”
W.H. Davies captures this truth beautifully in his poem "Leisure":
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
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We have no time to stand and stare.
Davies reminds us of the cost of living a life consumed by busyness. When we fail to “stand and stare,” we miss the small miracles—the way a child’s laughter fills a room, the quiet warmth of a loved one’s hand in ours, or the radiance of a smile shared across a table. These moments, though simple, are the essence of life. They ground us, nourish us, and remind us of our humanity.
The Transformative Power of Now
Embracing the present isn’t just about mindfulness; it’s about connection. When you are present:
Ironically, living fully in the moment doesn’t mean abandoning your dreams or ambitions. In fact, it’s the opposite. When you are present, you bring your best self to every situation, which strengthens your ability to shape the future.
A Call to Pause
As the world slows down this December, I challenge you to slow down with it. Take a moment to “stand and stare.” Notice the little things: the sparkle of frost on a windowpane, the sound of laughter in your home. Be with your family. Be with yourself. And when your mind drifts to the worries of tomorrow, gently bring it back to the gift of today.
It’s in this practice of presence that we become better—for ourselves, for our families, and for our teams. When we embrace the now, we honor the life we have and the people who share it with us. And in doing so, we prepare ourselves to face the future with strength, clarity, and gratitude.
Closing Thought
Life is not meant to be lived in a blur of busyness and worry. As W.H. Davies reminds us, it is “a poor life” if we have no time to savor its beauty. So, this season, let’s embrace the present. Let’s give ourselves permission to pause, to reflect, and to fully live this wild and precious life.
And perhaps, as we stand and stare, we will find not only joy but the inspiration to create a future as bright and beautiful as this moment.
With Absolute Sincerity,
Ed Clementi, Founder & CEO of Inspired Fire, LLC
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2wTo lead others well, you must first lead yourself with intention. Mindfulness is the way forward. Ed Clementi