P is for Presence (and Presents)
I’ve lived my life
in pursuit of…
wealth
health
joy
beauty
power
peace
planning, bracing, chasing, anticipating…
never
being
never
Present
for these
Presents
I’ve already gathered
in my becoming
the wealth of my good health
the joy in my children’s laughter
the beauty of my laugh-lines
the power in my knowing
that peace is always mine
when I melt into this moment
life is about my Presence
in these Presents
no longer about
the destination
nor the journey
because everyday
I have perfectly arrived
have you ever
held up a segment
of a tangerine
against the sunlight?
each juicy sac
nestled perfectly
among each other
the lines of their membranes
drawing perfect
butterfly wings
such beauty
God’s creation
each segment
a unique fingerprint
one of a kind
entering your mouth
soft, delicate and round
like a cloud
have you ever
looked inside
your partner’s eyes
your mother’s eyes
your daughter’s eyes
to see them
beyond the vesicles
nestled perfectly
among each other
what they feel
what they fear
what they love
in this very moment
such beauty
God’s creation
each being
a unique fingerprint
one of a kind
entered in your life
I tried to be the captain
of my ship, called life
I thought I knew the destination
where riches and accolades would be
where I would feel
worthy and loved
I tried to take the quickest path
icebergs slowed me down
I tried to take the safest path
storms struck me down
I tried and tried
to control my ship
I was resilient and strong
until one day
I was not
I could not
I was thrown overboard
finally
I faced my brokenness
I accepted my tiredness
I surrendered
to the ocean
for the first time ever
I
let
go
I saw in awe
the blushing sunsets
the soaring birds
the glimmering waves
I felt freedom
I felt beauty
I felt His embrace
I took rest
became the vessel
no longer the captain
and
it
was
good
more storms
came and went
moments of calm
moments of fury
I surrendered to its course
I carried on
with an unyielding peace
in my heart
knowing that I am
forever
worthy and loved
what if
the caterpillar knew
that coming out of chrysalis
it would one day
have wings
would it try to
rush it
control it
perfect it
would it be hard to
surrender
to the process
the metamorphosis
the alchemy
the death
of it’s old self
what’s necessary
to be born again
so dear self, please don’t rush me
I don’t want to emerge too quickly
without my wings
-Gloria
Gloria Jy-In Synn helps leaders, creatives and entrepreneurs reach their inspired goals – whether that’s managing a career transition, accelerating professional growth, or finding more purpose and joy in their career and beyond. Visit www.flowst8te.com to meet Gloria and find your flow.