I lose connection to myself - because my attention is on you. I am not present. Not here.When I am not present, I cannot effectively meet my own work, my own family. I feel confused and ungrounded. I feel anxious.When I am focused on you, I am donating my life to you - and to your concerns.I miss the openings to love and engagement in my own life.I miss the faces of the people that I care about. I miss their invitations to play, to dance, to love.I miss what is here because I am focused on what is not here - you and your world.In contrast, when I am willing to be with what is actually here, I can turn toward this child, this friend, this partner and open my heart.I can turn toward the 'problem of you' and begin to explore its qualities. What is this for? What might it have to show me?I can do this exploration without getting caught in your world - or your story of how it is.I don't get caught because I am inside of a truth that's able to hold me - I am centered and grounded. I know who I am and what is here with me.When I allow what is actually here to be here, I just see the truth: here we are, me and this - and I relax. I know what to do.I know what to do because I trust my nature, which is curious and creative. I trust my instincts, which are perceptive and accurate.I know what to do because I trust myself - and I don't need you - to show me what to do.I am free.