Presence: A Feature, Not a Bug

I often find myself multitasking, juggling multiple tasks and thoughts. I find it hard to sharpen my focus on just one thing at a time and align full attention with full emotional engagement.

When I do, it's quite magical.
Speed work, when done with full attention, is a great example.

There's something magical about immersing myself fully, paying attention to each detail of my movements. My steps, the length of my stride, my cadence, the swinging of my arms, the steadiness of my head, my overall posture, the engagement of my muscles, the sound of my feet landing, my intense breathing... When I zero in and truly listen and witness with emotional connection, it feels as if time stands still or loses its tight grip altogether.
It reminds me of those slow-motion shots of cheetahs in the African savannah, chasing prey at full speed. Or the strongest and most elegant runners, leaning into a bend on the track. I'm not even remotely as graceful or powerful, but in my mind, I could well be, as everything is illuminated.

Of course, we can find this sense of focus and engagement in so many activities – playing music, basketball, racing cars, reading books, painting, and intellectual pursuits.
This state of presence is a wonderful feature, not a bug.

And it's nothing new. Mindfulness, meditation, visualisation, and awareness all strive for the same outcome: presence at its best.