Present. Pres ent . Present. Three different words that look the same. I like words, I like playing with them, rolling them around my mouth (or, in this case, my mind!). Present. Pres ent . Present. They look the same. But as often happens with words, there are many layers of meaning beneath the flesh and blood of ink and letters. On this occasion, I'm not thinking of a birthday present. And I'm not verbifying the gift in order to pres ent it to you. I'm thinking of being present. Being here. Being here, now, in this moment. Present. It is something of a rarity these days, to be present. We're usually half here, and half zooming through the ether on an ever-scrolling flying carpet of pictures, video clips and adverts. We don't have time or attention to be present here and now, because we're too busy elsewhere. In a world where time doesn't tick; it scrolls. Smoothly from one thing to another. From London to California. From holiday snaps to cleaning product...
Hello and welcome to my tree house - a new space for me to think, write and share. Of course it is not really a tree house... it is a blog. I imagine you got that already. But tree houses, or even just the idea of them, really ignite my imagination. I can't imagine a more creative place to write in than a tree house! So perhaps we could say that this blog is my metaphorical tree house. I like that. I mean I'd rather have a real one, but I think a metaphorical one will do...for now. Probably warmer too. This blog is part of my attempt to disentangle myself from social media - something that perhaps I will write about at some point, but for now I just wanted to say hello and welcome. Please climb up and find a comfy corner, or perhaps even (if you're feeling adventurous), a suitable branch to sit on. Do come and join me in my (metaphorical) tree house!