The Ripple Room: A Presence Practice
No recordings. No replays. Just a shared hour, deliberately unrepeatable.
Presence is not something we talk about much. We say “be present” like it’s a box to check. But this time, we practiced it.
On Sunday, April 6, a small group of creatives gathered not to learn, fix, or perform—but to show up as they were. Some came with paints, some with poems, some with nothing but the intention to witness. And that was enough.
We traced the contours of stillness through handmade tags and unfiltered conversation. We spoke of the ache of not-knowing, the peace in tiny rituals, the gift of being fully received. We reminded each other: not all art needs to be saved, not all presence needs to be productive.
We didn’t talk about how to be present. We simply were. Together, in that fleeting, sacred pocket of time.
Melissa said: “I worked on a single piece of paper, gathering bits and pieces of random paper projects and gluing it down. I ended up adding quite a bit of black when the conversion turned in that direction. Then I added color and some white, again responding to the conversation and thinking about the gift and hope that comes from being present to oneself, nature, and the community around us. Maybe it is the case that presence makes hope possible and ultimately embodied. What a journey it is.”
Melissa’s creations
Judy shared: “Great get-together in the Ripple Room this past Sunday... I enjoyed the energy, and loved sharing the space with you and others.
A quick explanation on the two attachments:
- "Single bookmark" is what I worked on during the hour on Sunday, and completed last night
- "Full bookmark (two sides)" is the complete bookmark that I will now hand in for laminating.”
She shared a bookmark she completed after the session:
Tajana said: “I tried to make gift cards in the way you showed. It was interesting to make. I could not stop, until I finished it. Here are the pictures. First try and second try.”
Mark wrote: “Here's the poem that came out during the session. I hope you enjoy it. :)
Presence Can Be Seen
Presence can be seen as a homemade soup
Savor the flavor, take stock in the stock
Inhale deeply, and take a mental photograph
Presence can be seen as a gardened flower
Watered, nourished and loved
So in turn it grounds you in its beauty
Presence can be seen as a handmade artwork
A token that sparks surprise and gratitude
And brings joy to both giver and receiver
Presence can be seen as a present
Wrapped in an embrace of warmth
That shields us from the storm
Hope to see you again soon, and have a wonderful week.”
Next month, we’ll gather again. Same room. Different mood. This time, we’ll center on delight.
Until then—make, connect, rest. The ripples are already in motion.
