There is a difference between one who is “there”, and one who is “being there”.

Many of us here are parents. You would understand more than most how being present is everything. A parent can go to their kids’ soccer game, and sit in the stands on their phone, awaiting the end. Or they can go to the game, and passionately be there. Not by yelling or cheering, but by intently wanting to be there. One is “just there”. The other is “being there”.

We can go on a family vacation because, “it’s what families do once a year”, or we can go on a family vacation because we want to spend more time with each other without the distractions of our daily lives. From the outside looking in, it may or may not be as visibly obvious of the effects it leaves.

The obvious application here is in our training. If we were to go through the motions in “Fran” (21-15-9 Thruster/Pull-Up), with a relaxed, 15:00 completion time… there is very little benefit.

The less obvious is our daily encounters outside the gym. Where we may be going through the motions. Is it a lack-luster goodbye to our significant other before leaving for work? Is it greeting an employee with a “How are you?” even though we don’t mean it?