My husband and I are downtown Pittsburgh at Benedum Center for Performing Arts, for MJ the Musical, the seats are sold out… it is “show time.” 90% of the audience missed the first 5 minutes of the show…. They were hunched over, on their phones, scrolling cat videos, Facebook, TikTok, or just fully consumed in their own ‘world.’

The show had a unique start, with actors “warming up on stage,” there were no mics, it was a “behind the scenes” view, setting the stage. People were unaware the show they paid to see was starting!!!

One man waited at least three minutes to get to his seat because he was patient enough to not interrupt the woman sitting blocking the aisle. She had zero awareness there was a line of people trying to get through the aisle, to their seats.

Meanwhile…

My husband and I were taking in the architecture, observing people, the set was visible, the curtains were not down, we were taking it all in, and reading about the actors. We were present to enjoy the experience!

I observe this lack of awareness for people’s surroundings daily. It causes me deep sadness that, as a society, we have become so consumed with our devices and 100% stimulation at all times, that we are missing out in the life in front of us.

I teach my kids to be intentional, to be present, to be aware of other people, and the impact their actions have on other people.

I ask my kids to put their phones away when the view from the car is gorgeous, the sun is setting, something different is outside, or simply so they observe and learn traffic to be better drivers when the day comes.

What are you missing out on by not being present, by not being intentional?

Until next time-show up with intention, awareness, and purpose.

-Sarah