The Social Choice of Presence ~ Soul Social #4

What does being social mean? The topic today. Lots of questions emerge as I look at my needs, others' needs, the current situation, locally, and globally. The traditional, creative and innovative ways people get social nowadays. The digital environments that aim at or can facilitate a social connection. Situations when we think we get social but feel more isolated than ever.

Can you be social in physical isolation? Can you be isolated and disconnected when you are present physically... but actually, not present at all?

This leads me to presence. How to be present?

Being present online does present an opportunity today. Yes, love playing with the words :) Probably more people than ever are spending more time than ever in front of their screens, browsing, scrolling, consuming. If you are there, appearing on the news feed, you have a chance to be noticed. If you are a business, usually you aim for visibility, so people know about you. Not too many people buy a secret - but I know, never say never :)

Today, though, being present I believe doesn't equal being visible only. In times like these, that are unprecedented, challenging, very difficult and life changing for many, businesses that choose to be visible carry a responsibility. The way they communicate in these times will define hugely how they are perceived. By their customers. By the people. By people who have feelings, emotions, who might be under huge triggers at the moment. By people who are here to connect.

If businesses can be present - actually, if every person posting something could be present - meaning they can listen, be compassionate, converse and connect on a deeper level, this will resonate and create deeper, longer lasting, more fulfilling relationships with each other. That's my feeling. 

Now let's take this one step further. It's people behind the businesses, too. It's people on the other side of the screen, writing those posts, those articles, those communications.

Are the people who are putting out the content, who are creating the content that will be consumed, read, heard, understood by others, are they coming from a place of presence?

What do I mean here? Think about a real life situation. You are with someone in a room. You are physically there. You are talking with each other. But one of you is not really there. You are not really in you. Too many thoughts going on in the head. Thinking about another task that has to be done after the meeting. Or just so super tired that they are trying to survive, but pretending to be there. They look like they listen, but when you look at each other, you see foggy eyes, drifting away somewhere far far away...

Another typical situation. Two people sitting at a table having lunch. They are next to each other. They are not talking with each other. They are both on their phones. 

This is what I mean by presence.

Being present offline, and online. Think about it. Draw your conclusions. And please let me know what you come up with. :)

In the meantime, here are two inspiring videos that I found today.

1. The first one gives some ideas how to connect and be present with your family and kids while you are spending a lot of time together. Yes, working form home can be a challenge when everyone is around and especially if both parents have to/want to/can work. There can be a lot of tension. And yes, there can be a lot of positive reinforcement and fun, too. I think this could be something fun to implement for teams and organisations as well. Cool leadership idea, what do you think? ;) Watch it here.
2. The second video, for me at least, brings a beautiful perspective on how to be present - with ourselves. The title is "Finding strength in adversity". I found that I can't be really present with others if I am not truly present with myself. Watch it here. I got inspired by it so much that I drew this picture while watching the video. It might inspire you, too? 

I hope you like them and they bring you some nice, uplifting moments, as they did for me. 

Let's rethink together that social presence! The world could become a much better place! ;)