The Power of Presence and Acceptance
This weekend, I had the greatest gift: I witnessed love.
Pure love.
And honestly, there aren’t many other words that feel big enough.
My nephew Blake was playing basketball in a Special Olympics tournament, and from the moment I walked into the gym, I could feel it was something different, something sacred. The energy wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t competitive in the way we’re used to. It was open, soft, joyful, and overflowing.
The sheer joy on the faces of the players stopped me in my tracks. This wasn’t about winning. It wasn’t about proving anything. It was about being there. Being together. Making sure everyone got a turn. Making sure teammates had a chance to shoot, to score, to feel seen. And when someone made a basket, the celebration wasn’t individual, it belonged to everyone.
What struck me the most was how natural it all was. There was no efforting, no trying to be kind, no self-consciousness about doing the “right” thing. These players weren’t thinking, I’m being loving or I’m being of service. They were simply living it. Embodying it. Love flowed through them without agenda.
We hear so much right now about how hard the world feels. How divided. How heavy. And yet, in that gym, inside that simple, beautiful moment, there was more love than I’ve seen in a long time. It reminded me that love hasn’t gone anywhere. It hasn’t disappeared. It’s still here, quietly alive in places where presence matters more than performance.
I found myself in tears throughout the day, not from sadness, but from being completely engulfed by what was present. When we allow ourselves to be fully in the moment, without judgment, without expectations, without needing things to be different, we open ourselves to witnessing miracles that are happening all the time.
This experience reminded me that acceptance isn’t passive. Presence isn’t small. They are powerful, transformative forces. When we stop resisting what is and truly show up, love reveals itself, sometimes in the most unexpected places.
This weekend, I didn’t just watch a basketball game.
I watched love in motion.
And it changed me.
Monthly Journaling & Reflection at Catalpa Wellness
By popular demand, I’m excited to share that our Journaling & Reflection class is now a monthly offering at Catalpa Wellness.
Each month, we’ll gather to explore a new topic through gentle teaching, reflection, and journaling—adding to our journals as we go. Over time, your journal becomes a meaningful record of your inner growth.
Even if you didn’t attend the first class, you are warmly welcome to join at any time. Journals will be available to purchase, so you can start fresh whenever it feels right.
All classes are held from 6:00–8:00 pm at Catalpa Wellness
Please note that class size is limited, so early sign-up is encouraged.
I would love to have you join us and continue this journey together. I hope to see you there.
When we change the world changes.
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