The Magic Of Presence

By: Heather Blanchard

“The magic of your childhood wasn’t because you were a child — it was because you were living in the present.” ~ Unknown

There’s something about childhood that feels enchanted. The way summer seems to stretch on forever. The thrill of running barefoot through grass, endless curiosity and creativity, belly laughs and getting lost in time. The complete immersion in a moment — in a game, a story, or even a puddle of rainwater.

We often talk about “the magic” of being a kid as though it vanishes the moment we grow up. But what if that magic wasn’t tied to our age at all? What if it was never about being young — it was about always being here and now?

As children, we didn’t worry much about what came next. We didn’t obsess over the past. We played, created, cried, laughed, napped, and moved through our days guided by instinct, sensation, and wonder. We were naturally present — not because we were trying to be, but because we hadn’t yet learned to disconnect.

We didn’t check our calendars to see if there was time for joy. We didn’t earn our rest. We didn’t question whether we were enough. We just *were*.

That’s what made it magical.

As adults, we’re taught to move fast, to plan, to multitask, to anticipate. We trade spontaneity for structure. Presence becomes a luxury instead of a way of being.

But here’s the truth that so many of us forget: adulthood isn’t the end of wonder.

You can still find joy in the smallest moments — the scent of rain, the warmth of tea, the sound of laughter. You can still return to presence if you wish, but it is a practice.

Maybe it starts with your breath, or a pause or a stretch.

In moments of stillness before you begin your day.

Or a walk without your phone.

A conversation where you really listen.

A sunset you watch without taking a picture.

These are your portals. These are the places where magic lives. You were never meant to outgrow presence. You were meant to grow into it.To choose it, again and again. Not to chase childhood, but to reclaim what was always yours. So the next time you long for the freedom and joy of those early years, remember:

 The magic wasn’t lost – You just got distracted.

XOXO, Heather