The Power of Presence

Last week I was up in the middle of the night praying about the war in Ukraine. Online I stumbled upon CNN’s Tug of War podcast with Anderson Cooper and Clarissa Ward, two veteran war correspondents who cover conflicts with depth, truth, and compassion, now doing the same in Ukraine. The whole podcast is worth a listen, but I was struck by what tugs them toward war and the essence of their work in a war zone.

Cooper talked about the heightened significance of everything when bearing witness in war — unlike the trivial things encountered in much of daily life today. Ward said the most important aspect of war reporting is being present to everything and everyone around her — not getting the interview on camera.

Ward’s clarity about her purpose is a good reminder to live by. I’ve seen that presence is the central quality for progress in any endeavor — whether it’s building a career, vocation, relationship, home, or community. So how to show presence? Listen, learn, respond to the moment, communicate to be understood, demonstrate compassion. It’s this daily practice that makes all other good work possible — and our communities stronger.