Be Present

As I was leaving a donor meeting last week, we each said "what a year!" and then took a breath. Indeed, what a year it has been. It has been filled with raw emotion. I have been scared, angry, sad, and too many other emotions to name and there have been many, many tears. Whether concerned about Israel, Iran, college campuses, school shootings, or all of the above, this year has been a lot, for all of us. As we move towards the High Holidays, a time of reflection, I urge you to take a breath. 

As Jewish Communal professionals, we often run and we never stop--it's both a sprint and a marathon. There is almost always a situation, and we react. We sprint to fix the problem and the marathon continues--we never slow down. We don't take a breath. And we need to. We need air to survive. 

The High Holidays are always a time to reflect and slow down. However, it should be that in each conversation with members, prospects, and donors you also take a breath, be present and listen. Think about the times you sit with friends with cell phones pinging next to them and those who keep theirs on silent, turned over or in their bags next to them. When do you feel more cared for and listened to? Of course, there will be those times, in emergencies, when we need to have our phones near us, but it is crucial for the people with whom we are in a relationship to feel like they are our priority. 

When you ask a question of a member, listen to their answers. Follow up on their questions. Demonstrate that you really care. If someone has a birthday coming up, call. If you learn that a family member is ill, check-in. "I am thinking about you" goes a long way. To develop genuine relationships and create community, we need to be present. It is not an easy task and certainly one I strive to improve (just ask my kids!) but it is necessary. 

To build a better tomorrow, we need to be present today.