Features
Being present is a present
By Lo Sniderman ’19
November 17, 2016
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This past week has been particularly trying. Amidst the heightened academic demands that students face the week before Thanksgiving Break was the campus-wide shock of the results of the presidential election. One way to reduce stress levels before and during Thanksgiving break is to under- stand the power of being present.
Being present is what you experience when you are at peace with this very moment. To achieve true presence, it is important to consider the time frame of your thoughts— whether you are focused on the past, the present or the future. The vast majority of us spend most of our time contemplating past events or anticipating the future, diminishing our abil- ity to truly experience the cur- rent moment. When we are not present, our attention drifts in and out. Rather than permitting our minds to focus on making new memories, our thoughts are stuck in an alternate, stag- nant timeframe, and we lose the true power of the resounding now of which we are all a part.
Thanksgiving Break presents a prime opportunity to experiment with the power of presence. Being removed from the campus environment and surrounded by family and old friends is a chance to appreciate interactions for what they really are in an environment that is safe and familiar. When you find yourself slipping into the world of your own thoughts and out of your current surroundings, focusing on your breathing and on what is right in front of you can help you stay in the now. Use your senses to acknowl- edge the sounds, smells, faces and feelings that make up the atmosphere you inhabit. This will help you to pick up the vibe from the people, or lack of people, in your surround- ings, and understand how you contribute to that vibe. Maintaining this sense of presence yields quite a few improvements to our daily experience.
One of the most noticeable benefits of being present is im- proved social skills. That feeling of nervousness and not knowing what to say that so often accompanies daily interactions stems from not being present. When we shift our focus away from past and future circum- stances (what did she mean when she said that? What will he think if I say this?), conversation flows naturally without the restraint of self- consciousness. Presence can also improve listening skills in conversation. We have all had moments when we nod and smile in place of actually considering what someone is saying. Being present is a so- lution to this—it improves our listening skills by fighting the habit of thinking about what you should say next while try- ing to listen. The speaker will also be able to sense your pres- ence through cues of body language and eye contact, making the interaction more meaning- ful for both parties involved.
Those who practice being present also enjoy in creased creativity. Getting into a state of flow where our ideas stream freely is only possible when we are not thinking too much. By thinking too far forward or too obsessively editing work that you have already created, your creativity becomes hin- dered by mental blocks. Let- ting go of this whirlwind of past and future thoughts im- merses us into the simplicity of the current moment where ideas come naturally and easily. Being present also magnifies our appreciation for our surroundings. Your daily walk to class might be full of sights, smells and sounds which, after years of experiencing them, have become mundane. Being present lets us look around with a newfound curiosity for what surrounds us. We can observe in awe the beauty of Hamilton’s fo- liage or look around and appre- ciate the diversity of our student body. Focusing on the journey to your destination rather than the destination itself is a good first step to making our common routines seem new and exciting.
All of these perks of being present work collectively to reduce stress levels and improve the health of our mind and bodies. Over break, try to relish the free time you have by consid- ering your role in the present. You might find that anxieties about the past and future have been replaced by peace with the current moment and new- found productivity. After all, this moment is the only time that we truly have any power. In the words of Einstein, “the future comes soon enough.”