A quiet journaling series. Read here to learn more about following along from June 19 – August 28.
When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence.
How can you love if you are not there?
~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~
• What does it mean to be present? How is being present with oneself different from (or similar to) being present with another?
• Think of recent times you’ve spent with someone . Were you fully present? It’s okay if you weren’t (we all get distracted from time to time); just give this an honest consideration. (I know, during this pandemic, you might be spending lots more time with a smaller circle of people) (is this easy for you? hard?)
If you feel that you were fully present, can you remember how you felt during the time shared? Jot down a few words to describe the experience, from what you were doing – to what you talked about – to maybe how it felt.
If you feel that you were a little distracted, take heart…we’ve all been there. What was pulling your attention away? Were you worried about something? Were you tired, were you hungry, did you have a headache? Jot down a few words that describe the experience, from noting why you weren’t fully present (no judgment, just noting) – to how you might be more present in a similar, future situation – to maybe how it felt.
• Look back to any notes you made last week, in particular these two questions: what is love? and what is respect? How do love and respect weave into your stories (your experiences) of being present for others?
In the coming days, play with your attention (and intention) when sharing time with someone. See if you can temporarily let go of whatever isn’t necessary in that moment. Offer your full (and loving) presence. See how that feels.
always the love, m
As inspired, please share in the comments below + use #atinybitofquiet on Instagram.
*** Want more posts like this? You can have posts sent directly to your inbox by following my blog (just scroll down to the bottom of this web page, enter your email, and click “Follow”). New posts will be here each Friday, posted at 3am ET. Also: below, you’ll see “Posted in A Tiny Bit of Quiet”. Click there and it’ll take you to all posts in this series, including the round of Summer 2019 posts.
***And would you like a little note from me to you, on the first of each month? Click image below. xo
Michelle GD 