“Wherever you are, be all there.”
Jim Elliot
Last night, I sat in a dimly lit room, surrounded by the quiet hum of anticipation. A group of musicians took the center, and from the first note, I felt the weight of their mastery. They played Haydn, Debussy, and Coleman—not just with technical precision but with an emotional depth that filled the room.
At one point, I closed my eyes. The music wasn’t just something I heard; it was something I felt. The sound moved through me, uninterrupted by wandering thoughts or outside distractions. For those moments, I was nowhere else. And that kind of presence—the ability to be all in—is something I don’t want to reserve for special occasions.
Why The Power of Presence Changes Everything
Presence Makes Life More Vivid
Distraction dulls experience. When your mind is half on your phone, half on the conversation, half on the next thing you should be doing, you’re never fully anywhere. But when you commit to the moment—whether it’s a concert, a conversation, or a quiet cup of coffee—life takes on a different texture. Richer. Sharper. More meaningful.
Presence Shows Others What Matters
When you’re half-listening, people notice. When you check your phone mid-conversation, it sends a message: something else is more important. And let’s be honest—we’ve all been on both sides of that moment. Leadership isn’t just about making decisions or casting vision; it’s about making the people in front of you feel seen, heard, and valued.
Presence Makes Even the Mundane Meaningful
You won’t love every moment. Some days will feel tedious, frustrating, or exhausting. But being present isn’t about liking every experience—it’s about owning it. Showing up fully, even for the uncomfortable or ordinary, transforms how you engage with life.
For a different take on stillness and presence, watch Pico Iyer’s TED Talk, “The Art of Stillness.”
Final Thought: Presence Is a Choice
This isn’t about a productivity hack or a mindfulness trend. It’s about how you show up—for your work, for the people in your life, and for yourself. It’s about choosing to be where your feet are.
So, where will you be fully present today?
