"At times I think and at times I am." - Paul Valery.

"At times I think and at times I am." - Paul Valery.

A thought-provoking reflection on balancing thought and presence—why being matters as much as thinking in leadership and life.

The Space Between Thought and Being

The Pull of Two Worlds

We live in constant motion between two states—thinking and being. One demands that we chase clarity, dissect, analyse, and frame every detail. The other reminds us that existence itself needs no justification. It’s a simple truth, yet one of the hardest to grasp.

The Tension We All Feel

There are days when our minds are overflowing with #ideas, strategies, and possibilities. That’s when thought becomes a tool—sometimes sharp, sometimes restless. But there are also rare moments when we stop. When we feel the quiet of our own presence. When we are not rushing to explain or solve, but simply are.

That balance between thought and being is not about switching off the mind. It’s about realising that thinking doesn’t define our worth. Existence itself has weight, meaning, and value.

Both Light and Grounded

In thought, there’s movement—sometimes chaos, sometimes order. In being, there’s stillness—an anchoring sense of peace. We all know the difference between the buzz of #productivity and the rare calm of just being human. One fuels the future; the other grounds the present. Both are necessary.

Choosing Your State

We often act as if thought is the ultimate measure of progress. But clarity and creativity come from the space where being and thinking meet. That pause, that breath, that awareness—this is where decisions sharpen and #leadership grows stronger.

It’s not about abandoning thought. It’s about giving space for presence. That’s what makes our work, our relationships, and our #growth meaningful.

A Reminder Worth Keeping

We spend much of our lives thinking. But don’t forget to be. Sometimes, your presence matters more than your conclusions. Sometimes, the courage to simply exist without defence, distraction, or judgement is what brings the deepest impact.

So here’s my take: Keep thinking. But don’t let thought become the only measure of your life. Honour the power of being.

#mindset #inspiration #thoughtleadership #presence #growth #wellbeing #leadership