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Spiritual prep before my presentation
Recently at work, I had to give a presentation to about ten people as the culmination of a long-term project. I had worked hard to make the project fulfill all the requirements, and had also worked hard to make the presentation complete and clear. I felt confident and prepared.
Shortly before the presentation, a few co-workers suggested that I should have someone from my department there for support. There had been some murmurs that some of the people attending this presentation wanted to derail the project and were planning to find ways to block it. It was expected that there would be finger-pointing to pass blame for why the project had taken so long to complete, and my co-workers thought I should have someone on my side rather than letting it be ten against one. I respected my co-workers’ intent and asked someone to join me for the presentation. But I also immediately “went to work” in prayer to prepare spiritually.
I prayed to know that everyone in the room had access to the same unlimited source of ideas: the one Mind, God. I knew that everyone in attendance had the shared goals of order and clarity, and that these qualities glorify God. I also made sure to clear my thought of any preconceived views of each person who would be attending, and countered false labels, insisting that God made no one combative, negative, disruptive, insecure, or argumentative.
As the attendees filed into the presentation room, I made sure to see the true spiritual facts about each one of them. And as I looked out to see the audience, I saw only perfect reflections of God, Mind. I knew that God, not I, was the source of all the ideas that would be communicated.
From the start, the mood in the room was light and positive. People listened politely and interjected with questions when they needed clarification. By the end of the presentation, everyone in the room was engaged and unified in purpose to keep this project moving forward to completion. Each person willingly took responsibility for tasks to which they could contribute.
Looking back, I realized that nothing negative was said—the meeting was entirely supportive and positive. And it was clear that my spiritual preparation had been every bit as important as preparing slides and handouts. I am grateful for this experience, which reminds me always to see everyone as God sees them—perfect reflections of the one Mind, God.
—Chris Hufford, Godfrey, Illinois, US