Presence Over Pressure 3: Gratitude Over Fear

This short talk explores how fear quietly shapes our habits, decisions, and expectations — often without our awareness. When we pause long enough to notice what’s already supporting us, gratitude begins to interrupt the automatic pull of fear. This practice invites you to shift from bracing for what might go wrong to recognizing what is already going right. It’s not about denying fear, but about expanding your capacity to hold something more. Let gratitude become a steady, grounding counterweight to the pressures of daily life.

Transcript

Hi,

This is Timothy and welcome to Presence Over Pressure.

Each talk is a gentle pause in your day,

A moment to step out of the rush and check in with yourself.

Take a deep breath in and exhale slowly.

Allow your body to settle,

Your mind to soften,

And your awareness to arrive fully in this moment.

There's nothing to fix,

Nothing to achieve,

Just presence.

You can't physically be in two places at once,

Emotionally it's the same.

You can't fully exist in fear and gratitude at the same time.

One contracts,

One expands.

Simply notice where your mind is right now.

Are you rehearsing worries,

Bracing for impact,

Or anticipating what might go wrong?

Now,

Gently shift focus.

What is alive in this moment?

Take a slow breath in and out.

What small thing is already good?

A sound,

A sensation,

A feeling of presence.

Presence over pressure doesn't ignore reality.

It's choosing which energy guides you,

Contraction or expansion.

You decide for this moment and the next.

May you choose presence over pressure,

Remembering it's all practice.