I've been reading a book about young artists to better understand myself and what kind of opportunities there are for me and one of the things I am learning more about is Presence.

"Part of presence is being alert, but it is different than alertness because we have to wire ourselves to it. When you're alert, you are ready at all times and looking for every possibility.

It seems that presence is all about advertising but real presence has to come from the inside.

It is the feeling that a person is right next to you because you long to have them there or because you are terrified that they could come after you and get you".

The book even specifies: "Monsters have presence. Godzilla has presence. People who have presence often know you are there before you know they are there".

In that regard it made me think about predators and some of my friends who are bigger than me and the feelings I get. Especially when we are playing and they could be pretending to hunt me, hiding in the shadows and stalking me; their prey; watching, salivating in anticipation. I know that my friends would never hurt me, despite their sizes and predatory natures, its just a great example of how they have a presence. Not in fear, but always in thought is that they could "get me" anytime they wanted, and that helpless unknowing is something I really enjoy. Its really thrilling!

That's when it is really fun to have friends who are bigger than me and can...well eat me ^^; this should be no surprise to many of you of course, I mean what is my gallery full of?

So yeah, a lot of guys I know have presence. Also even in the real world, the same things about the qualities of presence can apply to famous people for obvious reasons. Music concerts, movie premiers, political elections, anyone who can command a room's attention.

"Presence can be magical, it can delight you. Think of when you were a kid, and had a favourite friend or person in your life - something enchanted you - presence is enchanting!"

In that way I feel like even sometimes I have a presence, because as fascinating as it seems, sometimes people get a kind of star-struck behaviour around me, which is something I don't always know how to react to. I personally don't think I'm much of a big deal.

The book also goes on to say that Presence is so exciting not always because of who or what someone is, but what someone wishes they were. In that phrase I found a lot of relatability with people and their fantasy lives. Most people often do get involved and enraptured with the characters of the community, the creatures and the fursonas, forgetting that there are humans behind those profiles and characters, and that the magic of fantasy isn't forever, as much as we all want it to be. The presence of the character can overpower the presence of the creator, unless a creator is as open and current with their sona as well as their real life.

"Presence requires being aware. Presence requires paying attention. Presence requires using your intelligence. Presence requires allowing others to make an impact on you. This means putting your mind on them, not just on yourself. Presence is empathy. It isn't the same as attracting attention. Its about finding the light and being a part of it."

So all is to say that I really connected with this particular section, and I hope maybe upon sharing it with you guys that you might have found something relevant to you as well.