by Bill Cumming

Presence defined traditionally:

1. the fact or condition of being present; existence, occurrence, or attendance at some place or in some thing

2. immediate surroundings, or vicinity within close view, of a person: admitted to his presence

3. a person or thing that is present, esp. a person of high station or imposing appearance

4.

a. a person’s bearing, personality, or appearance

b. impressive bearing, personality, etc. characterized by poise, confidence, etc., often specif. that of a performer before an audience (stage presence)

5. an influence or a supernatural or divine spirit felt to be present

6. the quality of sound reproduction with reference to the degree of the apparent reality of the sound

A further “definition” of presence would include the following:

Presence, as it exists within an individual in any particular second, creates the possibility for that person to be more successful in every aspect of their lives.

Presence represents the difference between ideas or thoughts and the transference of experience. (Which is actually the only thing people can internalize effectively.) Presence represents the possibility of being heard rather than tacit agreement.

Presence allows people to experience that they are valued simply because of their existence.

When present, I spend no time that is not about solution.

When I am present, what I consider are alternatives available now without regret about things in the past that cannot be changed.

When I am present, no time is spent in idle consideration of imagined possibilities not based on fact.

Presence includes loving-kindness toward all people.

Presence recognizes the power that resides within each person around us.

When we are present, there is nothing except miracle.

If I am present, those around me experience possibility within themselves.

When I am present, I am spectacularly focused.

Present, I am a master problem solver.

My presence allows me to see whatever is wanted and needed and the wisdom to choose effective actions.

Access to presence comes from experiencing it as a choice.

When present, I choose great, never average.

Presence cannot be held or preserved; it must be chosen, moment by moment.

If presence and experiences described above intrigue you, go to www.pauseplace.com and join the conversation. With all the love i know!

Namaste!
bill

VERMONT AIR NATIONAL GUARD, PHASE II

This weeks we will begin two “What One Person Can Do” (WOPCD) conversations with twenty participants each and a group of five who will enter The Advanced Exploration, having recently completed WOPCD. Evaluations from Phase I were extremely positive and included personal benefits as well as institutional benefit regarding the stated purposes of the program: general well-being, ownership, responsibility as well as specifically deal with issues related and not restricted to productivity, efficiency, sexual misconduct, suicide, PTSD and integrity.

The observations regarding presence in the previous article actually were spawned during evaluation conversations with Colonel Patrick Guinee, Commander of the Vermont Air National Guard, following the completion of Phase I. We want people to recognize in every situation that there is a choice. Be present or choose not to be present. It is, however, a constantly available opportunity.

Colonel Guinee intends for every member of his command to experience that they can create a meaningful, productive, contributory, joyous life as well as do their jobs brilliantly. It is our collective opinion that will happen more consistently as people see every moment of their lives as presenting a profound opportunity to make choices. As a society, we have recently become a society that uses “stories” as excuses for why things happen or they do not, thus encouraging a victim mentality. Not only the wellness of individuals and the reduction of negative or damaging behavior is at stake. Ultimately, the choice is between a life lived by getting by or “quiet desperation” or one where the individual won’t ever have to wonder what might have happened it they had given it their very best.