Practicing Presence Reveries

In this recording, I sit in my studio on a December afternoon and reflect on what it means to be “enough” in a season that so often asks us to do more, be more, and enjoy more. I share about getting sick in November and how devoting myself to rest opened the door to deeper noticing and presence.From there, I explore the idea of “feasting on enoughness” instead of chasing constant improvement, productivity, or peak happiness. I talk about the buzzing feeling of never quite doing or enjoying life enough, especially around the holidays, and what shifts when I let this moment, exactly as it is, be enough.A thread that runs through this conversation is my return to a daily poetry practice. I share how writing one simple, poem a day helps me metabolize my life, move feelings through my body, and stay closer to what is real and present.If you feel that familiar hum of “I should be doing more”, I invite you to experiment with the possibility that this moment really is enough. Notice where you are, what you see, what you feel in your body, and what is alive around you right now, in this moment.As always, if anything here resonates, I would truly love to hear your thoughts.—A few of the things you'll hear me share about:- Slowing down after being sick and reentering life gently- The mantra “I am enough and this is enough”- The idea of “feasting on enoughness” instead of striving for more, as discussed in Labyrinth with Kening- The pressure to make the most of every moment, especially during the holidays- Presence without force or urgency- A moment from the novel Snow Falling on Cedars- Daily poems as portals for noticing and metabolizing our experiences- Small, ordinary moments of beauty, like a sunrise over the river after school drop off—You can find my daily poems in The Spiral Library on my website. Subscribe to the Practicing Presence newsletter. Learn more about Integrative Coaching offerings. Get full access to Practicing Presence at practicingpresence.substack.com/subscribe

A reverie on courage and the practice of being seen. I speak about the vulnerability of sharing our hearts and work, the stories that once kept us small, and how fear and trust can walk side by side. I touch on Week Four of The Artist’s Way (recovering a sense of integrity) and read David Whyte’s “My Courageous Life” from Still Possible—a poem that invites us toward the next brave, alive step.In this episode:- The tender risk—and privilege—of using our voice- Letting outdated safety strategies soften- Holding fear with love while choosing courage- Returning to what feels most alive and trueA gentle prompt: What is one courageous step your future self is asking you to take today?Poem credit: “My Courageous Life” by David Whyte, from Still Possible. Shared here with deep gratitude. Get full access to Practicing Presence at practicingpresence.substack.com/subscribe

A gentle reflection recorded by the ocean during a solo retreat. I share about the practice of pausing. How it can feel uncertain, what it reveals, and the permission it gives us to move at our own rhythm.Find out more about The Finding Stillness StudioLearn more about Building A Home WithinJoin the Practicing Presence substack: practicingpresence.substack.com Get full access to Practicing Presence at practicingpresence.substack.com/subscribe

Tomorrow our online shop opens and we are all kinds of excited!!! (Hence the over use of exclamation points!)STILLE — A wellspring of support for tending to the inner tides. A carefully curated collection of objects, tools, and delights to aid you on your journey.This has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and I couldn’t be more grateful and excited to share it with you!I share lots more in the rambly recording above, so take a listen and keep an eye out for another email tomorrow with a link to the shop.With much love and excitement,RainaP.S. Stille is the German word for quiet, peaceful, stillness. Get full access to Practicing Presence at practicingpresence.substack.com/subscribe

Sharing a decidedly imperfect and very rambly note from me to you.A book I’ve been reading called The Creative Act along with my dear friend Dina’s latest newsletter has me thinking about perfection and what a strong hold it can have on me/us, especially when our creativity is in any way tied to our job/income/survival.I offer mostly reflections/questions and very few conclusions, as per usual :)May we seek solace in the act of approaching perfectionism with more curiosity and less judgment.Finding Stillness Website— Branding & design for heart-centered, purpose-lead businesses— Schedule an Integrative Coaching Session— Learn more about Integrative CoachingJoin the Practicing Presence substack: practicingpresence.substack.com Get full access to Practicing Presence at practicingpresence.substack.com/subscribe

Sharing a rambling voice note today, mostly talking through the tenderness of my own inner dialogue around rest and needing it but not wanting to need it and the underlying beliefs I hold around what it means to need rest.If you’re up for sharing, I’d be so interested to know what you’re own relationship with rest is like? How has it changed over time, if at all? And what would like your relationship with rest to feel like?Join the Practicing Presence substack: practicingpresence.substack.comFind out more about Finding Stillness: www.findingstillness.one Get full access to Practicing Presence at practicingpresence.substack.com/subscribe

The first in a series I’m calling Practicing Presence Reveries which you can listen to me share a bit more about in the recording above :)I suppose you could call this a podcast, you will after all be able to find it in the podcast tab on the Practicing Presence substack page. However, unlike most podcasts, in order to maintain the ease and excitement of this experiment, I’ve very specifically decided that it will be unedited, unplanned, and without the usual structure of an intro and outro etc.My hope is that the unedited and unplanned nature of this experiment will feel less like a podcast and more like a series of intimate audio notes shared between you and me.More than anything I hope this will provide a spacious realm to practice sharing more freely, connecting more deeply, and continually showing up through the imperfection of it all.Here’s to giving inspiration a chance, playing with experimentation, setting our own rules, and letting our hearts lead the way.May we cultivate courageous vulnerability as we share from the heart. May we create space for wandering and find meaningful connection along the way.Join the Practicing Presence substack: practicingpresence.substack.comFind out more about Finding Stillness: www.findingstillness.one Get full access to Practicing Presence at practicingpresence.substack.com/subscribe