Episode #2 Be Fully Present

Take a deep breath. This week, Dr. Michael Brown and Amy Seiffert have a conversation about the crucial, yet extremely difficult practice of really being wherever you are.

Show Notes

Life is so short. So why would I not want to be present in my present tense?
Dr. Michael Brown

Six Problems

  • Every minute we spend in the past or future is a minute subtracted from our life span.
  • There are no promises of tomorrow, and we are only guaranteed this very moment.
  • Our busyness often translates into hurry.
  • We tend to spend too much time focusing on the future or preoccupied by the past.
  • We will not wake up one day having become someone we have not been becoming.
  • We are not as good at faking presence as we’d like to believe.

Six Principles

  • Our presence in the presence of others is the best gift we could ever give or receive.
  • The only thing that lasts forever is human connection.
  • The way we spend today ripples into eternity.
  • Every space we share with another human being is a sacred space.
  • It doesn’t take a lot of time to connect meaningfully with someone.
  • Behind every face is a name, and behind each name is a rich narrative.

Six Practices

  • Practice 5 minutes of stillness at the beginning of each day.
  • Listen attentively to others’ words instead of preparing your next response.
  • Put your phone in its place; that is, put it away in the presence of people.
  • Utilize the phrase, “How are you doing, really?”
  • Set the tone for your day by wondering, “How many sacred encounters will I have?”
  • Say hello to strangers.