May 17, 2021
Blog Episode 17
Presence and Presents
5 months until my birthday from this date.
Are you around all the time with the people you know or when you want to sell something or want something, then more of you shows up?
Both presence and presents are fun on a birthday. This past year in 2020, well, it is a strange thing to explain. I woke up that day and was literally alone the entire day from start to finish.
Yet, I wasn’t really alone. The number I am about to say, just amazed me and I was blown away by the end of the 24 hours.
Five hundred and five (505) people wished me Happy Birthday on Facebook that I actually knew, were FB friends with and had a connection with thru school or some other group or function I belonged to. That didn’t even include the well wishes by phone or my family that sent snail mail birthday cards. I think I had a few tears when I counted that number. Again, thank you for keeping me in your prayers, thoughts and know that you are in mine.
My brother and sister in law gifted me with lovely earrings as my present.
Sure, I had been watching everyone else all year with drive by birthdays or even managing an escape to do a trip or even just a restaurant or family celebration at home. Not having that does cause a little envy. But that doesn’t last long when you know (and I counted) 505 birthday well wishes. People took time out of their day to let me know that I mattered to them and they wanted that day and every day to be filled with happiness.
It is important to me that each day, I wish my FB friends a happy birthday. My friends and connections matter to me and that they just matter always to the world. Now sometimes, it might be the end of the day and I know twice I had to do it a day late. But it just stirs me if I don’t.
If you knew my mom, at some point you were probably graced with an actual snail mail birthday card. I am just the princess compared to my Hallmark Queen mama. I know all of you who knew her understand my sentiment.
Not being forgotten is something we really need to be diligent about when it comes to others. 2020 had some households packed to the brim with people on top of one another and no place to go.
Let’s just say while I didn’t like the reason it came about (pandemic) I enjoyed my solitude, even when some days felt like isolation. It was a good lesson for me during my grief to learn the difference and what I as an introvert need.
Your presence is a present to each life you touch. Being inclusive and doing your best to make everyone feel included, welcomed and even better to feel worthy, I hope can become a daily endeavor for everyone.
What a present that each of us has that capability. By extending our presence with a loving heart, the present goes both ways by a friendship being born and matured with care and love.
Even if you can’t give a lot of time, just by sharing mutual respect with each stranger you encounter goes a long way. I know there are many restaurant servers, hotel clerks, drivers, grocery store Click List loaders, etc. that thru the pandemic and other times in my life, they went the extra mile to share their smile, (even behind the mask) to make me feel like I was taken care of and provided good service.
Being a friend or doing a job well done when dealing with others is a gift. Courtesy, acknowledgment, a kind word, a way to reach out and check on someone (such as thru this heat wave, checking on your neighbors, providing a fan or making sure their Air Conditioner works or picking up prescriptions or groceries) goes a long way.
Even just listening on the phone or the front stoop or your driveway helps people know they are being heard. They are being seen.
Providing a space for dignity, integrity and creating time for stories to be told is something I hope I have been doing all along, but especially with my coaching.
Your presence is my present and I can celebrate each day for every mile smile I am given.
or to schedule a coaching session: https://calendly.com/…/practice-one-on-one-with-coach…
Our sessions will be on Zoom or over the phone.
Shine your light thru the Lighthouse Window to navigate to fulfilled dreams.