What I learned from Jon Acuff- Blissdom Recap

I am always so thankful after I come home from my time at Blissdom.  Thankful for the time I got to spend with so many amazing women.  Seriously, some of these ladies blow my mind.  They are so creative, funny, talented and giving of their time.  I am honored to be a part of such an awesome community. Tomorrow, I will introduce you to some of my friends.  I hope you will stop by and meet them.

I am thankful for what I learned at Blissdom.  We had some amazing speakers.  I want to introduce you to one of them, in case you aren't familiar with him.  His name is Jon Acuff and he is a National best selling author and speaker.  He lives in Nashville with his wife and two daughters.

Jon was our opening keynote speaker.  He was just the right person to set the tone for the conference.  There were so many "nuggets of goodness" that I took away.  Here are just a few examples. 

*  "Never compare your beginning, to someone else's middle".  How many times have I done that?
*  "Be selfish with time no one else is using".  I'm now getting up before the girls to get quiet time in.
*  "Fear tells you, you can do it later.  Can I get an Amen?
*  "Let your child be your child, not your blog content".  Like a dagger in the heart, but a necessary one.
*  "Look for hinge moments".  Those moments in life that change everything.

Jon told a story about his daughter that hit me like a sucker punch.  He spoke of a time when he was supposed to be helping his daughter with a spelling test.  He was getting distracted and trying to send out a tweet, when his daughter took a napkin and placed it over her daddy's iPhone.  It read, "Daddy, pay atenchun".  (I love the irony in the misspelled word, don't you?) 

I've had those moments where you basically, let me just be blunt here, feel like a pile of crap.  I think we've all been there as a parent.  Those paralyzing moments that you would love to go back in time do over. Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way, but we can change how we move foward to lessen the chances of having more of those moments. 

As soon as I got home, I asked Brooklyn and Sydney to come sit with me.  I had something I wanted to talk with them about.  I looked into their eyes and told them just how much I loved and valued them.  I told them that they mean more to me than anything in this world.  I apologized for not always making them feel that way.  For all the times I valued the contents of my iPhone over the memories I could be making with them.  I vowed that from now on, when I am with them, they will have all of me.  I would enjoy my time with them and be present in the moment.  No more iPhone when I am with them.  Period.  There is no room for compromise.  In my book, these faces are worth it.   

Technology is great, but not at the expense of our children.  They deserve more.  Thank you Jon for driving home that point.

What can you do today to show your children they mean more to you then the things of this world?