The Importance of Presence: Revisiting Women For One’s Early Blogs

“We are most alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” —Thornton Wilde

I am a woman, a mother, a wife, a friend. I am evolving into the most conscious, loving, and aware person I can be. Isn’t that why we are all here? Ever since I was little, I remember having a curiosity about any type of evolution: personal, cultural, planetary. I was always questioning where we are from, why we are here, how I can learn to be a better person. I believe that curiosity is my greatest gift. It has allowed me to have lifetimes within lifetimes of experiences, wonder, mistakes, and knowledge.

With this curiosity, I am excited to begin this journey of personal and worldly discovery for ALL WOMEN. It feels as if I have been writing this blog my whole life…or at least for the past several months. It has been a roller coaster of “aha’s,” along with many blocks, perfectionism, rigidity…just some of the obstacles that were keeping me from writing and sharing my first blog.

How ironic that I am blocked and perfectionistic when my lifelong intent is to speak my truth, be authentic, allow for what is, and create peace inside and out of myself.

So my deadline has come and gone many times. My fear of vulnerability, to actually put myself out there for all to inquire about, criticize, judge, is where I begin. When I am one-on-one with a person I feel safe with, I sometimes feel safer than when I am with myself alone. Interesting pickle I have found myself in.

Questions for readers: Does anyone feel the same way? I am sure that many do (or at least I hope they do!). Please speak up!

I begin by getting quiet and listening to my creative voice. I have spent my entire life taking countless self-help workshops, meditation courses, personal growth programs, healings, energy work, acupuncture, and going to good old-fashioned therapy…the list goes on and on and on and on. But really, why can’t I just simply sit and be peaceful? Why can’t the majority of us do just that? Why am I terrified to share my deepest thoughts, my shame, my beauty with others, to the depth that I yearn to do? Another question for readers. Please tell me.

From what I’ve learned, it’s all about coming back to myself and getting present in this very moment. These past few weeks I have been consumed with creating Women For One and developing content that will inspire and support women. Throughout this time, I have noticed how “out of the present” I have gotten by DOING. Although I am caught up in the action, I am definitely not in the here and now of the moment.

Of course, daily distractions abound. With the influx of info that gets launched at us on a daily basis, propelling all of us forward at lightning speed with “have to’s,” family issues, activities galore, taking care of our health, nourishing our relationships, paying attention to our professional lives…AGGGH! I am exhausted just thinking about it!

But today, when I woke up, I made a conscious choice to just STOP.

STOP each day, several times a day, and breathe.

Notice the beautiful colors and smells outside.

Look into my children’s faces and bask in their beauty.

Listen to people and their thoughts and emotions instead of formulating the what I need to say back to them.

I want to feel into the moment instead of moving through it just to check something off my list.

I also decided to not judge myself when I’m unable to be present all of the time. Each time I catch myself out of the moment, I gently bring myself back without judgment and hold presence for the most important person in my life: ME!

Today, I challenge the Wf1 community to move into the present moment, even if it’s just once a day. Use your senses like I did to notice your surroundings and be there for the people and situations you encounter. I truly believe that not only will this give you the kind of spaciousness and calm that will actually work miracles in helping you make life happen, but it will also make for a kinder, more peaceful world. Also, please share with us how you create more presence in your life! We want to know so that we can share it with our greater community.

I know that in the coming days, weeks, months, years, we will be learning much from each other. Women are powerful beyond belief. History has proven that when women unite with their ideas and actions, great things are always accomplished. The vision for Women For One emerged from these beliefs. Women For One empowers women of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds to exchange authentic dialogue and information about topics that are vitally important to them.

Women For One…

• Creates a virtual community to allow for authentic dialogue about issues that are important to women of all ages.
• Informs women about small non-profit organizations and causes that they can get involved with.
• Provides a place for women to be inspired daily with links to our favorite inspirational websites and quotes.
• Connects women to resources on any and all topics of interest and concern.

I ask each of you to email me your comments, questions, ideas for blogs and discussions, and answers to the questions I have posed. Also, please go on my Facebook and Twitter accounts and comment and “like” us! I ask for you to join me in creating it. Let’s help one another. I already have plans to create a more formal online community to encourage more frequent dialogue and discussion, so please check back soon.

I want to end with one of my favorite quotes, which is so appropriate for how I am feeling today:

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” ― Rumi

May you get present with yourself so that you, too, can feel that endless river of joy that is your birthright.

Big love,
Kelly