The gift

Colleagues,
 
Tuesday’s email on presence brought an incredibly thoughtful response from a valued reader in which she shared, “My mother required my attention and I am fortunate that the timing came when I wasn't at work and was able to realize the need to attend to her. But I can't help but think, has she been needing my attention all along and I was not fully present during our daily conversations.” 
 
Four things:

• Leadership is the act of being human and of caring for others. The same skills that help us be good leaders help us to be good caretakers and better human beings.
• We miss so many opportunities to be present with people and it isn’t because we are too busy. It is because we are too distracted.
• We do the best we can each day. By being intentional, we can be a little bit better on most days.
• You should try really hard to be present all the time, but you should also be kind and gentle to yourself when you mess it up.

 
And then there is this: In reflecting and sharing her story, this reader was fully present with both herself and with me. Her email to me made me feel important and special. Coincidentally, it came on a morning where I was struggling and has changed my whole attitude.
 
Presence – what a beautiful gift.
 
Cheers!
 
Frederick