#43 being present

To breathe is to be alive, to be present is a wonder

Hello my lovelies,

Today I want to talk about what I am actively encouraging myself to be: present. So what does this mean? Being present is the act of full awareness in the present moment.

For so long I had to try and force myself to be present, thinking it’s hard to do, that it doesn’t come naturally to me. I felt like it was such a chore, that I’d never get there. My mind wanders easily. I have errant thought pop up. The act of being present, to me, is not letting those thoughts rule me, not always feeling the need to talk, that whilst it is an important skill to learn, it is about being gentle and giving myself grace.

When I was training for my role in bereavement, this cropped up, as it did in my Art of Zen course and the main lessons? Silence can be good, just being around is enough. In my hobbies, they are calming, they are gentle. My hobbies are solitary ones but that is what nourishes me; I have gone back to my introvert ways. I can be present in my journalling, writing, reading, calligraphy and colouring through noticing my breath, noticing my body and having gentle concentration. I find I don’t need to rush.

Being there for others has two elements: deep listening and mindful speech. For me personally, I try to have as much mindful speech as possible. I tell the truth kindly, I try to only say what is helpful and necessary. Lately there has been struggles in doing this, it has been stressful and there has been hurt. I feel remorse when I am not mindful but I learn my lesson quickly. Deep listening is vital. There should be a curiosity to what the other person is saying, not interrupting, just being there in person, or on the phone is enough.

This all matters. Why? Because its good for our wellbeing! We so often rush around, wanting things done, being stuck in the past and worrying about the future. There is joy to be had being alive, breathing is a miracle. Slowing down is our nature. The present moment is where true joy can be had. We can nourish ourselves much more easily, and others by listening. This is listening to our body, our minds, and our feelings.