On presence

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Something rather odd about my life right now is how much time and energy I devote to doing things that are outside the realm of my natural inclinations (and, I might add, training and talents). As someone who could happily hole up for hours and days, reading, researching, thinking, writing, completely in my own head, alone, I find myself surrounded by people almost constantly, and often in a position of leadership, influence, or decision-making. Writing is almost about absence, about sublimating the self to the work, but teaching, coaching and parenting require presence — and not only that, they require a presence. I can’t merely observe and reflect, I have to express my observations verbally, often immediately, without time to weigh my words, in response to whatever is happening in the moment. It’s like doing improv. Some people are born to express themselves in this way. I’ve had to learn it. I’m still learning it. I will never stop learning it. I was a shy child, a tongue-tied adolescent, happy in the company of a best friend rather than a crowd, and I’ve always preferred the scripted scene to the unscripted one. I wish I were a bigger personality, sometimes. I wish I liked tap-dancing in the spotlight.

But what can I say? I’ll just have to go on being myself.

One of my favourite professors in undergrad was so painfully shy that you almost had to strain to hear him. He lectured to a spot on the floor, or gazing out the window over our heads, caught up in his train of thought. Yet I remember him well, his gentleness and humanity. So maybe being a presence is inconsequential in comparison to simply showing up, simply being present, being yourself. Why yearn endlessly to be who we are not? Why not, instead, accept, embrace, trust and marvel at who we are, and how even with our limited capacities we are able, nevertheless, to do and be more than we could have imagined?

You who let yourselves feel: enter the breathing that is more than your own.

xo, Carrie

Give yourselves to the air, to what you cannot hold
Stadium, 1985 - 2017

4 Comments

  1. Deborah Black

    Reading this was like taking a long deep breath.

    Reply
  2. Pam

    Aaaahh. Presence. A presence. Accept, embrace, trust and marvel. Beautiful Carrie.

    Reply
  3. Shelley Mascarin

    So beautiful and peaceful. Reminded me a little of the book Quiet and how we can honour shyness and introversion. Thank you for your words. You always light up my day.

    Reply
  4. Julie

    I love the concept of parenting as improv – so true! And – like improv – teamwork is so important, other people to share in the spontaneity, the creativity, and the disappointment when the performance falls short of expectations.

    Reply

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