Wake Up to Your Own Life (Without Waiting for a Crisis)

What If You Could Be Right Here, Right Now?

This is something I’ve thought about throughout my life—the art of being present.

Lately, it’s been at the forefront of my mind.

In this day and age, it’s so easy to be pushed, dragged, or caught chasing the next thing.

The next job. The next person. The next interaction. The next experience.

On one hand, that’s part of being a high-functioning, organized human.

You’ve got to have a plan.

But sometimes, I’ll reach the end of the day and ask myself: Was I actually present for any of it?

The Experiences That Force Presence

There are certain moments in life that demand presence.

I’ve always been drawn to these experiences—ones that leave no room for distraction:

Sports. I love them—both as a spectator and a participant. But especially as a participant. The competition, the game—it forces me into the moment. I’ve been particularly attracted to contact sports because the stakes are high. If I could possibly get my block knocked off—I wake up.
Entertainment and the arts. Again, both as a participant and spectator. But especially as a participant. I’m a performer. I thrive on the adrenaline and the shared empathetic experience of standing in front of a group of people and offering my heart and soul. It forces me into the moment in a big way.
Communing with nature. Diving into the ocean. Staring at the night sky. There’s something about it that brings everything into focus.
Being with children. They exist in the present so fully that it’s contagious. When I’m playing imaginatively with them, their innocence and joy pull me into right now.
Moments of crisis. Unfortunately, this was my experience most recently when evacuating from the Palisades fires. When a natural disaster is threatening your home and your family, there is no time to be anywhere but right here.

These experiences bring me into the moment.

But What If Presence Was My Default?

What if I could live this way—not just in heightened moments, but as my normal?

Wow.

I once had a friend who used to demonstrate presence by clapping his hands in front of his face and saying, “Now. Now. Now.”

Each clap was another moment—unique, gone as soon as it arrived.

You can’t chase the one before—it’s gone.
You can’t grasp the one ahead—it’s not here yet.

Simple.

But a lifelong practice.

My Intention Today

Today, I will set my intention:

To be as present as possible for each moment as it comes.

I will listen.
I will speak my truth from my heart.
I will breathe.

And I will be here. Now.

—

Ari Welkom, known on stage as Avatari, is an LA-based alt-rock singer and actor. A Harvard graduate, married father of two, and former college athlete, he practices martial arts and champions anti-bullying, equal rights, and unity on his journey of recovery. Follow him on Instagram or Twitter (X)!

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