The Best Valentine's Day Gift Is Your True Presence

Dr. Lilian Cheung, The Huffington Post
February 14, 2012

To love, we must be present. It is impossible to love another if we are not truly with each other. But for many of us, this is easier said than done.

These days, attention is a commodity, and we often find ourselves detached from the moment in one way or another. Perhaps our minds are regretting the past, planning the future or being distracted by some electronic device -- the phone, the laptop, the television set. Maybe our emotions are wrapped up in an internal debate. Are we even aware of being present, right here and right now? For example, when was the last time you were conscious of how your feet touched the ground with every step? All parts of us -- our body, mind and feelings -- must unite in the present moment in order to fully engage with another person.