The Power of Presence: How Being Here Now Shapes Who We Become by Brenda R. Bryan
Recently, I had the honor of facilitating a board retreat for my Mighty Women Dragon Boat team. I’d dreamed of ending our time together with a group walk on the majestic beach at Manzanita. Instead, life did what life does: people had commitments, the group dispersed, and I found myself walking the beach alone, the gray sky matching my introspective mood.
Heading to my car, I set my GPS and listened for its familiar voice, my reliable guide. As I turned the corner, suddenly the chief of police appeared, vigorously waving me down. My mind raced: What’s going on? Did I miss a sign? As I rolled down my window, he told me I hadn’t made a full stop. He could issue a hefty ticket, $289 worth of “wake up!” Instead of getting defensive, I thanked him. I was startled, not just because I’d avoided a ticket, but because his words shook me awake: I’d slipped into autopilot, consumed by my destination, and missed the importance of being truly present at the wheel, responsible for my own life, and for those around me.
As I drove home, I thought about how often we charge toward our goals, eyes fixed on the horizon, missing the miracle of the moment right in front of us. How easy it is to preach presence, to remind others (and ourselves!) that life isn’t about the destination, but the journey. Yet, how often do we truly practice it?
I replayed the scene in my mind, crafting excuses. “No one else was there…the road was empty…was it really a big deal?” But, in my heart, I knew: Responsibility isn’t about external circumstances, it’s about internal alignment. The universe conspires to wake us up, not to punish, but to remind us to BE here, now.
Presence: Your Greatest Superpower
Here’s the hidden gold: Presence is not just about avoiding tickets, mistakes, or regret; it’s the very path to our own becoming. The more I study universal laws and the art of manifestation, the clearer it becomes. Who you’re becoming in every small, present moment determines the quality of your whole life. The universe responds not just to what we want, but to who we ARE as we hold our dreams.
When we’re not fully present, it’s like trying to row a dragon boat while staring at the finish line and forgetting to paddle in sync with our team. We miss the strokes, the moments that matter, and we lose connection, power, and joy.
From Dream-Chaser to Dream-Embodier
Each pause at a stop sign is a metaphor: a chance to ground, breathe, and reconnect with the journey. Our destinations, whether it’s building a business, transforming a relationship, or realizing a vision, are shaped not by racing there, but by who we’re becoming with each aligned choice. Presence isn’t passive; it’s an active practice of noticing the details, honoring our responsibilities, and loving ourselves enough to tell the truth.
So I ask you:
- Are you racing through your days, or are you savoring the details of your becoming?
- Are you holding a vision for your life, or are you constantly detouring around the present for a future that always seems a step away?
Let the “wake-up calls” of life, whether in the form of a police chief or a quiet moment of awareness, be your reminders. You are responsible for the energy you bring, the choices you make, and the presence you hold. That is your superpower.
Simple Practices for Presence (and Becoming):
- Pause for Presence: Every time you reach a literal (or metaphorical) stop sign, take a conscious breath. Ask: Who am I being right now?
- Release the Excuses: When you catch yourself explaining away a choice, pause. What’s the truer, deeper intention behind your action?
- Honor the Small Moments: Celebrate each time you notice yourself being present. These are bricks in the foundation of your dream.
- Hold Your Vision, Stay Awake: Remember, it’s not just about where you’re going. It’s about who you’re becoming, right now.
As you move into 2026, let presence be your guiding star. Life unfolds in the details; your power is in this moment. What journey are you truly on, and who are you committed to becoming along the way?
Closing Thought: Sometimes, the detours, delays, and even the reprimands are the universe loving us into greater alignment. Today, let’s choose presence, not as a burden, but as the doorway into the life and the self we’re most meant to experience.
Your presence IS your power. The destination will come, but the journey is where the becoming happens. Here’s to savoring every step!
Brenda is a fantastic coach.
She is truly passionate about supporting women in being seen and heard. Brenda uses a combination of gentle support and challenge to bring out the best in her clients and in every human being with whom she comes into contact. The Raise Your Voice Speakers Club helped me grow in confidence and clarity in delivering my message, in a community environment that made me feel safe yet also challenged me to grow. I highly recommend the Speakers Club to any woman who has a message to share and is ready to play bigger in the world!
Like most people, I guess, I’ve been terrified of public speaking!
Yet I realize that it’s a necessary skill for today’s entrepreneurs and a path to personal empowerment. Turning to Brenda for her expertise and coaching has already made a big difference in my comfort level and ability to show up as myself.
Brenda has the insight, tips and tricks to make “raising your voice” much more than an exercise in imparting information to your listeners. She helps me create more engaging, coherent, and exciting presentations that feel authentic to who I am. If you want to shift how you come across onstage and be seen and heard as a trusted expert, I highly recommend you get in touch with Brenda.
The Raise Your Voice Speakers Club is an AMAZING GROUP..
..of heart centered women coming together to speak our stories.
I like to describe our club as “An empowered group of women, joining energies to make our voices heard, and make the world a better place.”
If you ever envisioned yourself speaking clearly on stage, or wished you could stand up in front of a group and not vomit, to speak your mind, or even speak out loud. If you’re looking for a sisterhood of support, this might be the time for you to come check out our Club.
I have found her speakers club to be an excellent..
..environment in which to learn about promoting my professional interests as an author and an artist. As a result of my participation in this club, I feel much more confident when I speak about myself now, and as a result, my message has become more easily understood and more relevant to the general public.
You’ll be touched and inspired.
I recently attended the inaugural Fireside Stories event put on by Brenda Bryan, creator and facilitator of the Raise Your Voice Speakers Club, and I was thoroughly impressed.
The women who shared their stories and experiences to an attentive crowd were bold, brave, powerful (and brilliant) in their storytelling skills, their authenticity, and their willingness to be vulnerable.
And it’s no wonder with Brenda at the helm, guiding them through the nerve-wracking process of public speaking. She is a soulful, nurturing, and wise mentor who genuinely cares about women’s voices and women’s lives.
I highly recommend Brenda’s Speakers Club and her Fireside Stories event. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry.
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