Becoming Present in the Moment: Part Two The Promise of Joy

Becoming Present in the Moment

May you be inspired by the power of presence, the poetic understanding from Julian or Norwich, and a few key quotes added from the work of the Mind Architect, Peter Crone. Here are my reflections. 

“Instead of letting past hurts inform future fears, I choose presence.”  

Acceptance and joy naturally arise when I release the past as a blueprint for the present and stop seeking reassurance in an uncertain future. By anchoring myself in the here and now, I align with the Universe—feeling loved, cherished, and fully capable of shifting my perception to navigate life’s challenges.

The first step to understanding and growing with Julian of Norwich’s Promise of Joy is the practice of being present.

Daily Practices for Becoming Present One Day at a Time

“Presence calms the nervous system, reduces stress, and cultivates contentment.”

Each morning, I begin with a grounding practice: I visualize a radiant waterfall or a beam of light descending from the heavens, flowing through my body and connecting me to the earth. Sometimes, I deepen the experience by pressing my bare feet into wet sand, feeling the earth’s grounding energy. With each breath, I imagine healing energy rising from the earth through my feet, up through my body, and out the crown of my head. I repeat this several times, breathing deeply as golden light flows through me from heaven to earth.

This simple visualization centers me and becomes a touchstone I can return to throughout the day.

Presence Helps Us Recognize Our Capacity to Be More

“Presence transforms the quality of our experiences and relationships, often opening us to greater creative flow.” 

Throughout the day, I practice being fully engaged—whether working with a client, playing with my grandkids, or admiring the trees and flowers on a walk. When I give my complete attention, even ordinary tasks like doing laundry become rich with meaning.

Recently, as my husband’s illness required me to take full responsibility for managing our estate—a role he had always handled—I felt overwhelmed and frustrated. But when I brought myself back to the present moment, everything shifted. I paused, looked at the mountain outside my window, and remembered: I get to handle this. My husband cannot—but today, I am capable. That simple shift brought clarity and gratitude, both of which invited a deep sense of calm.

I realized that fear—specifically, the fear of not having enough, rooted in my past—was fueling my frustration. Yet in the present, that fear held no truth. Presence revealed it for what it was: the voice of the ego, shaped by the past and anxious about the future—a subject I’ll explore more deeply in the next post.

Contentment Is an Inside Job

“Being present takes practice—as well as the ability to recognize when we are truly present.” 

The practice of presence also reveals when we’re not present. For much of my life, I sought external validation—believing that being liked, successful, or fulfilling expectations set by others would bring happiness. Instead, it left me disconnected and strained my relationships.

The shift began when I turned inward and discerned my true desires. Letting go of what no longer served me allowed me to show up authentically. I began noticing presence in others and, conversely, times when they were absent—caught up in the past or future or even their need for external validation. That awareness became a mirror, helping me see presence more clearly in myself.

Even harsh comments, which once made me feel “wrong,” revealed themselves as reflections of the speaker’s inner reality. Compassion for myself opened into compassion for others. Forgiving myself for living by others’ expectations made room to see that we are all doing the best we can. That realization opened the door to self-love.

As I grounded myself in authenticity and presence, my relationships transformed. I embraced the simple truth that everyone wants to be seen. When I offered my full presence, others felt acknowledged and heard, deepening our connections and bringing more meaning to every interaction.

Getting to Know Myself

“By remaining present and attuned to what brought me joy, I began to understand my authentic self. I identified experiences that resonated with me—and, just as importantly, those that did not.”

I started a “Joy List,” journaling what brought me joy each day. Over time, as my spiritual practice deepened, the list grew and I became adept at noticing both what I enjoyed and what drained me. Each moment of alignment with something from that list was worth celebrating—it was evidence of living in harmony with my true desires.

A Shift in Perception

As my spiritual practice evolved, I began to understand that struggles carry lessons essential for growth. By embracing myself as the creator of my reality, I found acceptance and forgiveness more accessible. Challenges transformed into opportunities for learning, each holding wisdom as long as I remained present.

In that awareness, I uncovered a profound truth:
I deserve a life of joy.