Did you know the greatest gift you can receive is not one that others can give you? It is a gift you give yourself and that is ‘being present’.

Teachers, gurus, and wisdom seekers speak of ‘being present’– but what does it mean in a practical sense? How do you do it?

‘Being present’ is bringing your full attention to the moment or task at hand. Most of us have been taught to multi-task so our thoughts and focus are far and wide. What if we narrowed the field to a single focus to let our attention rest where the work is being done?

I would like to share two examples of my experience of learning to become ‘present’. I feel it is not an act of achievement. It is a process and the more we practice, the richer our lives become.

Example No 1 – Wrapping presents for my husband to take to relatives in the U.K

In the afternoon I bought the presents, carefully selecting what I thought would be appropriate for each age group. The colour, design and type of wrapping paper was carefully considered. In the evening I wrapped the presents. There was no background music or television. I cut the paper with full attention, folded it neatly around each present and attached the sticky tape before naming each one. The present for my 90-year-old Mother-in-Law deserved a colourful bow, and the one for my daughter overseas earned a soft lace ribbon. I observed my actions with a sense of acute awareness. It took an hour or so to complete the task of wrapping all the gifts. That night I went to bed with the feeling of a job well done.

In the morning I realized the extent to which I had been ‘present’. As I contemplated the coming day, a sense of fulfilment from wrapping the gifts with full attention returned. Was it the joy of giving or was it the joy of ‘being present’? Probably both. I love the play on words of wrapping the presents while being in the ‘present’ moment.

Example No 2 – Attending a Sacred Anointing evening

A week prior to the event above, I attended a ‘Sacred Anointing’ evening with Jacqui Bushell and Jane Elworthy. These two wise women of the earth regularly host evenings of self-discovery. This one was particularly potent. They decorated a hall in Waverton, Sydney with soft lighting, lots of candles, and scattered Persian rugs. To me, it felt like a beloved community coming together in love and gentleness to acknowledge the divine in one another. In pairs, we took turns to anoint each other’s feet which were soaked in bowls of warm water with the addition of sacred oils and floating rose petals. The very act of ‘touch’ with sacred intent allows one to become present. The low whispers and gentle splashing of healing waters to the soft beat of a frame drum and exquisite voice in the carpeted space gave rise to ancient memories of the bath houses of Egypt. They had created a “moment” to be savoured.

Instead of rushing a task because you feel it is of little value, can you bring focus to what you are doing in that moment however simple the task may be? If we are distracted by what happened yesterday or worried about a future event, then we are not able to be present.

When we practice ‘being present’, our lives become richer and more fulfilled in every moment. Can you think of moments in your day when you can practise ‘being present’?

Karen is a writing coach, crystal healer, wellness business mentor and mountain lover.

She is passionate about helping clients find the skills and confidence to speak from the heart and do what they truly love to do.

For more information visit www.soulpurposeproductions.com.au