In presence, we can tend our wounds - then set our compass. In presence, we experience our full selves in the moment, all emotions, sensations, thoughts, and the mess. We can notice all that’s is around us, in others, even the touches of the universe, swirling beneath our souls. In presence, the moment is told to us by our senses, not by our assumptions, or our fear.
When do you lose presence? What resonates here? What do you want to work on?
I know for me that I am least present when I feel fear, so I come back to myself before I respond, for example, when having difficult conversations with my daughter. What about you?
Hi Kate. Past, present and future are subjects I love to write about, as well as presence and absence.
Your past has led you here, to this present, to this moment when you are reading these words because you have decided to do so. A small detour would have been enough and right now you would be in a different place, with other people, doing other things, or maybe you have died. A simple detour in the past would have been enough so that now, for example, you might not have in your life the people you value the most. it hurts a lot to see the people we value being ripped out of our lives!
Sometimes we say with satisfaction:
“I am very proud of being who I am”,
Without realising that this inevitably and consequently means being very proud of who we have been.
Thanks Kate for this reminder. I would like to try the mindful walking. Slowing down is my aim right now, when not in work mode. Could it be a walk to a place I need to be , as long as I walk slowly and observe with 5 senses ?
Such a powerful reminder to come back to presence, Kate. I'm the same...spinning out when I feel anxious or unsure about a situation. Was actually able to use presence to reframe a perspective yesterday and NOT get into a heated conversation with my 17 yo! xo
I loved this! Cultivating and choosing presence in this past year has really changed my life, the way I look at the world, the way I feel in my body, my relationships and so much more. It can feel overwhelming to do at first, but allowing ourselves to be present and face what is in the pain, where we've splinter off, can be so healing.
I’ve always tried so hard to stay present but sometimes )more often than not) my anxiety won’t let me. My brain moved ten steps ahead at least and I’m always worried/thinking about the next thing while being in the current situation.
I’m trying to do a mindfulness challenge/meditation to change that but I’ve only done one day so far, and I don’t think I did it right.
Do you have any suggestions on how to stay present when your anxiety wants you to plan your life out?
Have a look through the ‘simple tools’ on my page. It can be hard to practice mindfulness when you have lots to do, so get immediate things you need to do out of the way first, or write them down for later. Many people find focussing on the movement of walking meditation easier than the breath (see my last post.)
But also being present is something you do any time, including when your mind is planning and whirring. Be present with your experience of this, notice all your sensations, what’s around you, etc, while you’re getting pulled away. A quote comes to mind from a psychotherapist called Beisser who said ‘change occurs when we become what we are, not when we try to become what we are not’ 🧡
As I read this I found myself thinking, once again, if only all this was taught to children from primary school onwards then how improved would society be? Emotional intelligence is surely the foundation of everything? Xx
When do you lose presence? What resonates here? What do you want to work on?
I know for me that I am least present when I feel fear, so I come back to myself before I respond, for example, when having difficult conversations with my daughter. What about you?
Hi Kate. Past, present and future are subjects I love to write about, as well as presence and absence.
Your past has led you here, to this present, to this moment when you are reading these words because you have decided to do so. A small detour would have been enough and right now you would be in a different place, with other people, doing other things, or maybe you have died. A simple detour in the past would have been enough so that now, for example, you might not have in your life the people you value the most. it hurts a lot to see the people we value being ripped out of our lives!
Sometimes we say with satisfaction:
“I am very proud of being who I am”,
Without realising that this inevitably and consequently means being very proud of who we have been.
Allow me to share with you and your readers, a poem a wrote about presence: https://rolandoandrade.substack.com/p/glances-into-the-present
I loved reading your thoughts on this Rolando, thank you! I’ll save your poem to read too 🙏🏻✨
Thank you Kate
'Present' is my word of the year - you have reminded me. I have been so not-present, that I had forgotten. Thank you x
Such a great word of the year Louise!
Beautiful words - "Without presence, we miss the truth of our life." Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks so much Brianna! It’s true, right? ⚡️
Perfectly timed piece. Thank you x
Thanks for reading and sharing Nelly! 🧡
Thanks Kate for this reminder. I would like to try the mindful walking. Slowing down is my aim right now, when not in work mode. Could it be a walk to a place I need to be , as long as I walk slowly and observe with 5 senses ?
Absolutely yean - sounds lovely! It is more difficult to keep focussed, that’s all!
Great thoughts on our presence , Kate . love them will try one now . Hugs and peace to all
Great Mitch! thank you 🙏🏻
No thanks needed it was all true . hugs and peace
Such a powerful reminder to come back to presence, Kate. I'm the same...spinning out when I feel anxious or unsure about a situation. Was actually able to use presence to reframe a perspective yesterday and NOT get into a heated conversation with my 17 yo! xo
Haha thanks Antonia, sometimes I think that deserves a medal!
Photos of the counter protests and anti-racism rallies across the UK definitely soothed my soul here in Pittsburgh. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxlgwl28gyo
Mine too! It has been such a tonic - we so rarely hear good news 🧡
I loved this! Cultivating and choosing presence in this past year has really changed my life, the way I look at the world, the way I feel in my body, my relationships and so much more. It can feel overwhelming to do at first, but allowing ourselves to be present and face what is in the pain, where we've splinter off, can be so healing.
I’ve always tried so hard to stay present but sometimes )more often than not) my anxiety won’t let me. My brain moved ten steps ahead at least and I’m always worried/thinking about the next thing while being in the current situation.
I’m trying to do a mindfulness challenge/meditation to change that but I’ve only done one day so far, and I don’t think I did it right.
Do you have any suggestions on how to stay present when your anxiety wants you to plan your life out?
I’d like to turn my answer into a post Melissa!
Have a look through the ‘simple tools’ on my page. It can be hard to practice mindfulness when you have lots to do, so get immediate things you need to do out of the way first, or write them down for later. Many people find focussing on the movement of walking meditation easier than the breath (see my last post.)
But also being present is something you do any time, including when your mind is planning and whirring. Be present with your experience of this, notice all your sensations, what’s around you, etc, while you’re getting pulled away. A quote comes to mind from a psychotherapist called Beisser who said ‘change occurs when we become what we are, not when we try to become what we are not’ 🧡
As I read this I found myself thinking, once again, if only all this was taught to children from primary school onwards then how improved would society be? Emotional intelligence is surely the foundation of everything? Xx
Loved reading this today. Thank you.
Thanks so much Anthea, I’m glad you loved it! ☺️