I have no

tricks

up my

sleeve

or in my bag. 

I don’t have 

a bag. 

I have 

habits.

We all have 

experiences

that have 

calcified

into memories 

living in 

the present. 

They exert themselves

repeatedly 

without consideration.

But the memories

are abbreviated—

truncated 

responses 

that defend

a familiar 

reflex.

Protecting ego,

muscle memory 

feels voluntary

even though

it is automatic. 

We know 

we are living 

in the present, 

but our minds 

may not be.  

Hearing echos 

of pain, 

or distancing, 

or disregard, 

or whatever 

negative association 

is detectable, 

the perception 

of discomfort 

initiates

an auto-correct. 

As though 

under a spell, 

in moments 

of reactivity, 

We are not 

truly present. 

We are alerted 

to unease, 

and immediately 

react. 

Sometimes 

the spell 

is brief— 

as though 

we are frozen 

for a moment 

or two. 

The real 

magic 

happens 

with being 

present—

fully present 

without 

agenda 

or posturing 

or judgement. 

Just 

being. 

Those moments 

feel 

rare— 

almost 

sacred—

when  

ego

is checked,

and the moment

presents

opportunity

for something

new 

and better.

Better

Check

Your

Spelling.