“How can I be a successful leader?” a young CEO asked.
“By being fully present.”
“Does that mean I have to be everywhere and micromanage?”
“That would be impossible and inadvisable,” the sage responded. “Being present is first of all being with yourself. Then you’ll see clearly, truly understand and act courageously.” ( (Francis J Padinjarekara: A Dewdrop in the Ocean. Mumbai: Awareness Arc, 2009. pg. 205)
Our great gift is our capacity to be present. We say about some people that they have a great presence. That is possible when our mind and heart are also present where our body is. That may sound quite easy, but that is a major challenge for most human beings. We are here in body but somewhere else in our minds. We may be wishing we were elsewhere. We may be working out plans for the future. Or we are stuck somewhere in the past.
Our presence, our ability to be fully there in the here and now is very powerful. It is our presence that brings great energy, clarity and peace. Facing the challenges of life is possible only with our presence. We cannot be successful in life without being present. Intimacy is our presence to another person. Self-love or confidence is our presence to ourselves.
