Presence and Present are NOT the same thing.
- Heather Wright, R.T.(R)(BD),CHN IPHM
- Mar 16
- 3 min read
Read the title again.
Your PRESENCE means you are physically there, being PRESENT means you are there in all forms, especially in mind and spirit.
You have likely experienced the difference between the two without realizing it, so I will give you some examples.
Have you ever been sitting in the same room with someone, but they were playing on their phone instead of interacting with you or others around you? This is an example of PRESENCE, not being PRESENT.
That same person is not PRESENT in this scenario. They are distracted, and disconnected from what's happening RIGHT NOW in the present moment around them. Even though they are physically present (presence), they are not present in mind and spirit.
People often reference this as an issue in relationships when they refer to being alone in the same house when their partner is home.
Or "being alone in a crowded room". This is is even more of a prevalent thing nowadays when people go to gatherings, or out to dinner. EVERYONE is on their phones, not being truly PRESENT in the moment.
If the people around you are not PRESENT, then you might as well be by yourself... because essentially, YOU ARE.
Right?
Now does it start to make sense? I'm sure maybe your jaw has dropped and you're sort of taken aback, and that's a good thing!
Now, on to the sermon....
I speak about being PRESENT a lot with my clients.
When they are struggling to keep a grip on their reality, I tell them to PAUSE. Breathe. LET GO of control, and just be PRESENT in the moment.
What can you see, taste, touch, smell and hear? What can you FEEL both physically, energetically, and emotionally? Can you find a fact to support any of these?
What thoughts are running through your mind? Can you pin one down, or is your mind fleeting?
When you are in a stressed state, you are disconnected from yourself and factual reality.
When you PAUSE to become PRESENT, things de-escalate and the smoke from the 5-alarm fire you created in your mind disappears.
If you can be present with yourself, then you can be present with others, too.
Being PRESENT is the best expression of love that you can give yourself and others.
This means you are really "here" in the moment with yourself, those around you, and your environment.
Being present is how you make those core memories, and build strong connections.
I can illustrate how important being PRESENT is in relationships, especially with your children by sharing one recent instance in the following paragraphs.
.
It was a beautiful sunny Saturday, so my husband and I decided to take the baby to our favorite county park for some family nature time outdoors.
.
We had a blast on the playground, walking through the woods, and chasing butterflies.
.
When we returned home I was sitting outside in the sun after lunch.
My daughter sat down beside me on the ground and said “Mama what are you doing?”
I said “I’m enjoying the sun, the wind, and listening to the birds sing.”
She said “I want to do that too.”
So we both laid back on the towel I had on the ground and looked up at the sky, the trees, the birds, identifying the sounds around us and the things we saw.
.
After a minute of quiet (an eternity in toddler time, lol), she leaned her head against my shoulder and said “You’re the best Mama”.
THAT'S when the confirmation hit.
Being PRESENT is all she wants from me.
THAT is a true expression of love.
.
My heart exploded into a thousand butterflies, and I turned to the side to kiss her forehead.
I whispered, "You bring out the best in me, baby girl. I love you. Thank you."
.
I hope by now you're thinking of ways that you have or have not been present with yourself, with live, with others.
Heartfelt reflection and introspection are key pillars for being more intentional and placing things in motion for change, but the big questions here are:
Do you see where you have room to grow?
Will you accept accountability and CHOOSE to be more present from this moment on?
.
Let me know in the comments how this entry hit you. Did it open your third eye a little bit? Did it strike a sensitive chord?
I really hope so!
I really hope you CHOOSE to be PRESENT in each moment.
The good ones. The bad ones. The ugly ones. The blissful ones. The painful ones.
Be present for ALL OF THEM.
The power to choose is in your hands!
.
Love, H
Comments