Make your present be your pressence
"We have kept our appointment and that's an end to that.We are not saints, but we have kept our appointment. How many people can boast as much?" Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot
We live in a distracted world. People are preoccupied with their phones, tasks, or thinking about how to reply to whatever topic is before them.
In a constantly connected world, many conversations feel unfocused and ill-formed. Conversation depth often seems akin to talking to someone while they run for a departing train; you may have a moment to express yourself, but you better be quick about it!
This rush feels like the new normal.
I'm practically immune to feeling slighted when the person in front of me subtly replies to a text message, scans social media, or has to check out for a "quick" email reply.
Practically immune, but not fully.
Truthfully, most of the time I don't expect people's undivided attention which makes receiving it all the more startling.
This weekend I was surrounded by people who put their electronics away and engaged in conversations. The amount of humor and the depth of our connection was startling. The focus was both honoring and humbling.
I could see how much better my relationships would be if I stopped multitasking.
It felt like a gift I want to give this Christmas season.
I want my work colleagues to feel fully connected when they are talking about their ideas. I want my friends to know I'm willing to meet them wherever they are emotionally. I want my family to experience my undivided attention.
Maybe, like the character in Waiting for Godot, I can keep my "appointment" by simply showing up and paying attention.
Where can you give your presence as a present?