Being Present

Blue Ridge Mountain Sunset, N. Carolina/October 2025

“Let us develop respect for all living things. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding and compassion. And love.” ~Jane Goodall

Being present for me contains an entire sequence of letting go’s. Letting go of agenda’s, should, have to, others expectations and sometimes our own. As Kristoff in the video below says, “letting go means not giving this any more energy”.

What happens in this space, the void that follows, is enough emptiness to feel into and focus on our own dream for this time of our life. To have the courage to follow a more authentic path woven with understanding, compassion, respect and of course love we then inspire each other.

As Jane Goodall said over and over again, “each day you are going to be making some kind of impact. Think and choose wisely what kind of impact you will make.”

I like to envision a world where all humans take some time out to simply be present every single day and mindfully, with as much of an open heart as possible, choosing the impacts they will make.

I wonder what would transform and how that would change the challenges we all, and individually, face at this time? How much more joy and connection will be experienced?

As we age this practice becomes even more important in recognition that our time here has become much more limited before our own transition. What legacy are we creating right now? It could be profoundly simple, but don’t think that you aren’t making a difference!

Every single day is filled with possible ways to make a positive, compassionate and perhaps innovative and creative impact. It comes in the form of connection – to each other, to ourselves, to the animal and natural world and our environment that we are an integral and interconnected part of.

Overlook on Blue Ridge Parkway, NC/Photography by Gaye Abbott/ 10/2025

Just this past weekend a friend and I traveled up to Mount Mitchell, the tallest mountain East of the Mississippi. It was with celebration that we drove the Blue Ridge Parkway to get there as Hurricane Helene, a year ago now, destroyed so many portions of this well know road.

Though it wasn’t predicted to be opened up and all the repairs made this year….it was. Just at the beginning of leaf season here in Western N. Carolina….and yes the colors were stunning and people from all over the world came to take in the beauty of this part of the natural world that day and connect with each other.

How many humans, equipment and cost did this take to open the road back up again where there were swaths of trees laid down on the ground, parts of the roads completely taken out, and bare hillsides from mud slides. Each person that contributed to the opening of this lush nature pathway made an impact, not to even mention the hundreds of volunteers that are still clearing trails that are well loved and used.

We often forget that it takes our interconnected relationships, skills, innovations, collaborations and vision to remind us what is most important for the well being of all life….a deeper connection with the natural world around us and each other. Working together creates hope for our future.

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The short video below comes from a male perspective and shows vulnerability, emotion and transparency. I invite you to take just about 12 minutes out of your day to take in Christoff’s experience of being truly present and aware in the moment…..and how he learned to let go.

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“What do we really want from life? In this film, Christoff invites us into his reflections on happiness, adventure, and the practice of being truly present. He reminds us that the unknown doesn’t need to be something to avoid or fear, but can instead be a doorway into wonder, curiosity, and a deeper sense of connection with the world around us.

This story is also a gentle reminder that life isn’t only about reaching a destination, but about showing up for the journey itself — noticing the small things, embracing the detours, and finding joy in the moments along the way.

Six years ago, Christoff stepped away from his corporate job to follow a different path. Since then, he’s been creating content for his YouTube channel  @GetOutGO  – an African overlanding and off-grid camping show that celebrates wild places, open skies, and the freedom of heading out into the unknown.”

Featuring Christoff and Venessa.
Filmed in Karoo National Park, South Africa by Reflections of Life

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“Today and tomorrow and the next day, each day you’re going to be making some kind of impact. Think and choose wisely what kind of impact you make.” ~Jane Goodall

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*RECOMMENDED BOOK: Carbon, The Book of Life by Paul Hawken

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Gaye Abbott, Wildly Free Elder, 10/6/25