Being Present…Step up

‘I do not know how to write and what to write.’ This is my truth about putting the pen to the paper.

I never wrote, nor did I develop my ability to write, instead I avoided it, till I felt I don’t need it. It was enough for me that people saw me as an impactful speaker. I can write the essential- not a blog or an article, or a newsletter. I just don’t think I can do it. I feel I am not good enough.

I want to make a start…why now. Because I just feel it RIGHT.

This year of COVID has been a year of opportunity for many and also a year of grief and pain for many. For me, a year of LEARNING. Enrolled in courses, webinars, certifications, trainer forums, name it and I am there. This led to too many courses, I was biting more than what I could chew. In the process the most difficult part was BEING PRESENT, which means I was absent, which means I was not in the experience, to feel it.

Why do I say this?

I thought I am BEING PRESENT by being on time, attending, listening, participating, reflecting and learning, but it was tiring as it was all too much effort. And also there were the other inner obstacles as well which were not allowing me to be present-my facades, my ego, my vulnerabilities and my complexes.

So was missing every experience by not being able to be in the Here and Now.

I will explain this better. There are days when I eat lunch and after a couple of hours, I ask myself did I eat? When did I eat? What did I eat? This happens when I am not in the experience and I do not feel it. I ate food because I had to. That’s what I call not being present.

Taking up a lot on me made me grow distant. I missed the experience of profound learnings, which were several deep layers of self-awareness.

It was still not so late. I was able to recover because of 2 reasons my awareness and my belief in PEER COACHING.

I trusted my PEER COACHES with all my vulnerabilities. They made a difference to me because they were listening without any judgements. They let me be ME. They were curious and were objectively observing. They were compassionate. THEY WERE THERE FOR ME to help me self-reflect better, to know myself better, and help me declutter to make right space.

For me, being present is truly experiencing this moment. It’s about being myself and throwing away all my facades. It’s about embracing my vulnerabilities to let them GO.

It means to wholly be there for myself to be there for others.

It means decluttering to make some space.

No matter where one is, we all have an opportunity to step up in Being Present.

I am stepping up each day. Are you?

‘What you feel on the inside will manifest on the outside.’ – IRIS VAN OOYEN

About The Author

Kalpana Shah  has been a part of Talent Management over 16 years. Have contributed and served organisation like Epicentre, Tech Mahindra, Ocwen Financial, Synechron Technologies.

Currently with AffinityX, In Pune, working as the Head of Learning function.

I am known for my passion and hard work. I believe one stops growing the day one stops learning.

I believe and life a life of brilliance, Love and fearlessness.

I believe that tough people last, and tough times don’t.

Program Attended with CTT- Coach Certification Program

Reason for taking the program was to learn the ART and SCIENC of Coaching and experiencing it myself.