Giving the Gift of Your Presence
http://www.refresher.com/mindfulnetwork/articlelive/articles/379/1/Giving-the-Gift-of-Your-Presencea/Page1.html
Jamie Walters
Jamie Walters is an inspired 'creative inquirist', transformation guide, inspiration catalyst, and "prophet of an emerging new economy of intelligent, caring, cutting edge entrepreneurs.She is the founder of Ivy Sea, Inc., author of Big Vision, Small Business the handbook for conscious SOHO/Solo enterprise published by Berrett-Koehler — and Leading at the Visionary Edge (forthcoming from ICFAI University Press). She is also the creatrix of Ivy Sea Online.
Jamie integrates her professional / business experience with her energy, shamanic, and Indigenous Wisdom training, to help individuals and organizations cultivate vision, intuition, creativity, and other innate and unique gifts, and apply them in the workplace and other areas of life.
This liberation of this innate 'genius' supports skillful communication, transformation, conscious business,and a meaningful, purpose-aligned way of being and working.
Visit Ivy Sea Online.
By Jamie Walters
Published on 12/23/2009
With the holiday season upon us, and gift-giving a part of many traditions, many of us look for 'just the right gift' to give. Consider that one of the most valuable, precious gifts we have to offer is the gift of our full, true presence. So few of us experience the luxury of another person's full presence -- or our own -- that it's one of the most priceless gifts you can give.
The Gift of Your Presence
With the holiday season upon us, and gift-giving a part of many traditions, many of us look for 'just the right gift' to give. Consider that one of the most valuable, precious gifts we have to offer is the gift of our full, true presence.
Full presence is a rarity, which is why so many of us carry wounds of not feeling seen, heard, or appreciated. Our powerful minds take us out of the present, into the past or future, and often into reaction and drama, so few of us experience the luxury of another person's full presence -- or our own.
To be fully present -- a full-bodied presence -- is an exquisite gift to offer, and costs nothing but the intention and the practice of it.
Eckhart Tolle says, "The past cannot survive in your presence." So the gift of presence means the absence of judgement and drama. Talk about something that can make the holiday season (or the workplace, or the home…) more enjoyable!
How can we be fully present when we may have worries or when there are anxiety provoking 'hot buttons' pushed by family members? Well, for me this is deep and daily practice; I have to remind myself again and again that it's practice, and a beautiful, satisfying one at that.
When we really feel fully present, we're anchored in our bodies (not just floating in our thinky-minds), and are more alert for the times when we might otherwise be triggered into reaction that draws us out of presence and into drama. We're all familiar with that one!
In deciding to bring the gift of presence into whatever interactions and gatherings we find ourselves in, we have greater receptivity to really listen, to really notice, to really see and hear, and to choose not to react when the opportunity arises. We can flow more easily with whatever comes up.
Then we can choose to listen, be more receptive, and we may find that we more easily access true gratitude, appreciation, and joy within us -- more gifts to share! Pearls of great price, truly.
So consider giving this 'valuable among valuables' as a gift this year. Each of us who does so may find beautiful surprises, including something new we learn about ourselves.
Blessings for a beautiful holiday season!
Full presence is a rarity, which is why so many of us carry wounds of not feeling seen, heard, or appreciated. Our powerful minds take us out of the present, into the past or future, and often into reaction and drama, so few of us experience the luxury of another person's full presence -- or our own.
To be fully present -- a full-bodied presence -- is an exquisite gift to offer, and costs nothing but the intention and the practice of it.
Eckhart Tolle says, "The past cannot survive in your presence." So the gift of presence means the absence of judgement and drama. Talk about something that can make the holiday season (or the workplace, or the home…) more enjoyable!
How can we be fully present when we may have worries or when there are anxiety provoking 'hot buttons' pushed by family members? Well, for me this is deep and daily practice; I have to remind myself again and again that it's practice, and a beautiful, satisfying one at that.
When we really feel fully present, we're anchored in our bodies (not just floating in our thinky-minds), and are more alert for the times when we might otherwise be triggered into reaction that draws us out of presence and into drama. We're all familiar with that one!
In deciding to bring the gift of presence into whatever interactions and gatherings we find ourselves in, we have greater receptivity to really listen, to really notice, to really see and hear, and to choose not to react when the opportunity arises. We can flow more easily with whatever comes up.
Then we can choose to listen, be more receptive, and we may find that we more easily access true gratitude, appreciation, and joy within us -- more gifts to share! Pearls of great price, truly.
So consider giving this 'valuable among valuables' as a gift this year. Each of us who does so may find beautiful surprises, including something new we learn about ourselves.
Blessings for a beautiful holiday season!