In one of my classes this year, my professor starts off every single lecture with the same request and quote, “Be present.”

At first, it was annoying. Of course I’m present, of course I’m paying attention, and of course I’m listening to you. Except, time and time again, I’ve learned that someone can be present physically without really being present mentally.

It’s more of an oxymoron, am I right? You could be talking with your sister and the next thing you know you’re starting to think about what you’ll make for dinner that night, what you need to read for the day, and when you might try to go work out. We’re all guilty time and time again for going off in our own “little world” as my mom use to say. The “Cassidy bubble” was and is a great place to be, obviously in my opinion.

Yet when I started to put away my technology, put my cell in my bag and really listen, I noticed that my interest had peaked. I was interested in class, in the topic’s we were covering, and in understanding the ramifications of what the bigger picture in life really is.

In a world where being on your phone can get you access to the latest and greatest updates is *AWESOME*, its really a challenge for anyone to get anyone’s attention.

Some people are better at it an others. I’m the later because I can struggle, but I can tell you that being present in a world of culture and technology is really for your benefit. While we all value how we spend our time, if you cannot give it freely to the people you’re choosing to surround yourself with then you might want to reconsider your dependence, because I sure have had to many times.

Be present, share your stories, and feel the stories of others. Being yourself and standing out in a world of “highlighted reels” will really begin to blend into the background in an overwhelming flash of time. We’re never promised tomorrow so don’t regret the decisions of the here and now.