Presence is magic: a reminder to live in the moment & to return to a state of wonder
‘Tourist go home’ is written in big letters on a trash can outside my building, a remnant of last year’s Festes de Gràcia. The bunkers just closed down because of the havoc the crowds have been wreaking upon the hill and Ciutat Vella is too crowded with weekend visitors to be enjoyed.
Despite not being from Barcelona, despite most of the time feeling like a tourist myself, I too somedays feel like hanging a ‘tourists go home’ sign from the balcony.
I have followed and watched the people visiting this magnificent city, sat on park benches, walked in wonder in Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, Parc Güell, the Picasso Museum, MNAC and the streets filled with wonderful details after wonderful details.
I have followed and watched the people and life around me and been baffled by how few are actually here.
How few feel, see, sense and live the place they are visiting or living in.
I had the same realization in Porto last spring. The beautiful town that is scarce of locals and filled with people getting the perfect picture in that one spot you need to post, a memento of a place they will most probably not even remember, because they were not really there.
Almost ten years ago, guiding snorkelling trips in Thailand, I witnessed the same: people were not fully soaking in the beauty beneath the surface, giving space to wonder. Instead, they were frantically looking to see the whale shark that had been rumoured to be circling around and dismissed everything else with disappointment.
They were not seeing what was there, the beautiful, lush life of colour in the depths because they were constantly looking for and expecting something else – something a bit more amazing to be photographed next to.
They were not here. Present. Fully seeing and sensing their surroundings. Present enough to see the world around them, present enough to notice the wonders, the people, the life they had for a brief moment entered. Present in the wonder of their own lives.
We are seeing and experiencing less than ever
Every time I go to the park by Sagrada Família I witness people posing in front of the cathedral, posing for the perfect picture – queuing for a snapshot in front of Gaudí’s masterpiece – not truly seeing the temple at all. Not noticing its carvings nor its brilliant energy, how it opens up and uplifts everyone in its proximity.
The focus has shifted, people have lost touch with the life around them. Lost touch with themselves. We so often turn our focus to the future, what is yet to be done, and miss out on the life that is here now. Our phones keep us tied up, constantly out of touch, constantly seeking entertainment and shifting our focus to anything else than this present moment.
We are being pulled away from ourselves, the calm quiet, the rooted existence and power of being here and now. Our senses grow dull, life becomes a blur and despite travelling more than ever, we see and experience less than ever.
Being present is a practice and a choice. It starts small and can feel overwhelming and uncomfortable in the beginning; our mind is looking for an out and screaming for distraction while all the feelings surface at once, come as torrents shaking our bodies with their force. While all the senses activate and life hits us with full force.
But, if we step-by-step, one moment at a time, choose to stay present and gently ground ourselves to ourselves and the earth beneath our feet, this uncomfortable restlessness gives space to peace and wonder. Creates space for a fuller life.
Giving space to the present is giving space to life
Being present opens up a new world; there is more colour, more details, more life. Time stretches out and wonder takes over, our intuition lifts its head, beckons us to follow its subtle whispers.
Suddenly we sense the world with everything we are, we see and feel more. We see the people, the life, the shapes and colours surrounding us. We feel the wind tickling our skin, smell and taste the world around us, at this very moment, every moment.
And the more present we are, the more we appreciate life. The more we get out of life. The more we experience in the brief time we have on earth.
Being present is to be alive. Alive in every single moment.
There is so much to see, witness and experience in this world. The gates are open, we have endless possibilities to see the world, to travel and explore. We are just asked to be present while we travel, present to experience, see and sense the world we adventure in. To be present in ourselves while exploring.
Places like Barcelona are being weighed down by the masses, masses who are not really here. Who walk without sense and direction, without respect for the life around them, without really seeing and experiencing the world they have stepped into.
Places like Barcelona, with its fluid energy, healing power and endless wonders should remain fully open to everyone to experience. To soak into. To cherish.
I just wish that everyone who steps into this city – any city – would be even a little bit more present. Present in themselves, present in the place they are in. Present to soak in all that life has to offer. Present to wonder and experience life at its fullest. Life as it is.
Your attention is magic
Being present is an ode to life. It is respect and care, a state in which you are fully able to support and cherish the life you live, the world you live in and yourself in your life.
Instead of tourists go home painted on the walls and trash cans, the signs could read stay present.
Stay present where you are. Stay present in who you are.
The earth is asking you gently yet forcefully to stay present. To respect the life around you, the life within you. To respect the beauty you get to experience. Wherever you go and whatever you do, near or far, stay present. Present here and now, in this world you are a part of.
The planet is our home, a home that asks to be cared for as it cares for us. It asks to be experienced fully present, as it stays present for life, all life, yours as well.
Because life is magnificent and deserves all your attention. Your life is magnificent and deserves all your attention.
You, deserve to be present in your life, to fully live every single moment.
To connect to this moment, to connect to yourself and the life around you, turn your attention to your body. Let it guide you to the present; feel how your feet touch the ground, how air flows in and out of your nose. Notice the details around you and allow yourself to fully be here.
Your attention is a powerful force, what you focus on you give energy to, what holds your attention holds your magic: make this moment magical by focusing on it, being in it, giving your energy to the here and now.
Because there is nothing but this moment, the whole world is alive in this moment, you are alive in this moment. This moment that softly transforms into the next, gently guiding you throughout life and its wonders.