My husband and I are watching The West Wing right now. Once the kids head off to bed we make it through an episode or two. I’m mostly struck by just how busy everyone is all the time. The pace of their lives is extreme. Everyone is always juggling multiple projects, tasks, etc. And of course almost all of them are high stakes.
Every now and then though something happens and they remember that despite having a country to run, they are people with their own needs. They have needs for friendship, laughter, anger, and grief. (just to name a few)
On the episode we watched last night someone Toby’s brother had recently died. He tried so hard to keep it together, but the grief was overwhelming. A co-worker, CJ, came to check on them and ask them what they needed. They didn’t want anything. Finally the co-worker asked if they wanted them to leave. The answer: No.
He needed someone to be present with him. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Stop measuring days by degree of productivity and start experiencing them by degree of presence.
Alan Watts
CJ had done many important and productive things throughout the day. But I would say that the most important thing she did was to sit with Toby in silence.
It’s not easy these days to be with people. Covid has in many ways made our normal presence impossible. Showing up for people looks different than it used to. Which makes it even more important.
What are the ways that people have been present with you over the past year?
How have you shown up for others?
What would yesterday look like if you measured it in terms of presence vs. productivity?
Peace,
Megan