Fully Present

I want to be fully present wherever I go. The people in my life demand nothing less.

Fully present means listening. How often does my mind wander. Not from disinterest but because of worry. I constantly think ahead. One comment may send my mind off to distant plans. But fully present nails my feet to the ground.

Fully present means silence. My wife does not benefit from hearing every detail of my day. At times, I am desperate for her council. But sometimes venting means letting my day takeover our time together.

Fully present means forgetfulness. To be fully present, I must choose to forget what remains. I must choose to let details pass out of consciousness. They can wait. I am here with you now.

Fully present means stillness. I must be somewhere to be somewhere. I must sit. I must melt into the chair. I should get comfortable.

Fully present means awareness. I must absorb the environment. I must imbibe the mood. Laugh with those who laugh. Weep with those who weep. Be small to the small. Be big to the big. Be slow to the slow. Pace.

None of this relates to time. Precious moments may last minutes or hours. Maybe only a phone call between meetings. May a brief hospital visit. Maybe an exchange in the hallway. Time is not the issue. Presence is. Fully present means life lived to the maximum. Every minute, every moment fully aware, fully embraced, fully there.

In full presence, life hides. Friendships grow, lessons are learned, ministry happens, and family knits together when I am fully present.

I hope to perfect the art.