“Without any intent to influence or change
what is before you, let your being soften the world.” - Mark Nepo
This struck me
as a particularly potent, not to mention radical, recommendation in a world
which prizes and enshrines the ambition of relentless doing.
Point is, we do
make an impact merely with our presence – it is as inevitable as breathing, so
perhaps it is more a question of the quality of our presence that makes the
difference.
What is quality
of presence? I think of it as embracing your truth – it involves authenticity, personal
integrity and the ancient dictum, know thyself. It will mean different things
to different people too, of course, but in general it seems to me to run in
this direction.
Living our truth
requires moments of stillness, undisturbed moments where we have the chance to listen
receptively to what resonates in our hearts, feeling what we feel, and
thoughtfully sifting through that material aided by the intelligence of a
reasonably peaceful mind.
It is a
never-ending process, and oftentimes a difficult one too.
Letting be,
choosing to lift any intent to influence or shape what is in front of us, is
not for sissies. It’s a tall order and, in my opinion, a very desirable and
much needed entity in a world that is falling to pieces for all the doing we do
to it.
Make no mistake
about it. Being is a radical act.
Rock your
presence …
