Presence for Dummies

Presence is a pretty interesting word and it's important to understand what it really means. Let's break it down in a simple and engaging way so that it makes sense to you. Imagine that you're sitting in a classroom, and suddenly your best friend, who you haven't seen in a very long time, walks through the door. You can feel their presence because you become aware of their existence in the room. It's like a special energy that they bring with them, kind of like a warm and fuzzy feeling.

So, when we talk about presence, we're not just talking about the fact that someone is physically there. We're talking about their impact or influence on the environment around them. It's like when your favorite teacher walks into the classroom, you can feel their presence because they have a certain way of being that makes you feel comfortable and excited to learn.

Presence can also mean how aware or conscious we are in a particular moment. It's like when you're playing your favorite video game, and you're so focused on it that you're completely absorbed in the game world. You're fully present in that moment, and not thinking about anything else. That's being present, my friend!

But, here's where it can get a little tricky. Presence can also mean something that is felt or noticed even when a person or thing is not physically there. It's like when you listen to your favorite singer's song on the radio, and you feel their presence in the music, as if they were right there with you. Or when you visit a place where something amazing or historical happened, you can feel the presence of the past events.

So, in a nutshell, presence means being aware of someone or something's existence, feeling their influence or impact on the environment, being fully engaged in the present moment, and sometimes even experiencing the feeling of someone or something even when they are not physically there. It's a word that captures a sense of connection and awareness.