Why We Practice: The Ripple Effect of Staying Present

Amanda Wilson · 2026-09-09

Ever catch yourself wondering why you sit on that cushion every morning? Or why you keep returning to your breath when your mind is already three meetings ahead? Mark Bertin, September's Teacher of the Month, has a gentle reminder for all of us: our practice starts with ourselves, but it definitely doesn't end there. ### The Real Reason We Show Up Let's be honest. Some days, mindfulness feels like just another item on the to-do list. You squeeze it in between breakfast and your first Zoom call, hoping it'll magically make you calmer. And then it doesn't—at least not in the way you expected. But here's what Bertin points out: the commitment to staying present isn't just about you feeling better in the moment. It's about something bigger. Every time you choose to pause, breathe, and notice what's actually happening, you're building a muscle that affects everyone around you. Think about it. When you're less reactive, your partner notices. When you listen without planning your response, your coworker feels it. When you stay grounded during a stressful moment, your kids learn something they can't unlearn. > "Our practice starts with ourselves—but it doesn't end there." — Mark Bertin ### The Ripple Effect in Everyday Life So what does this ripple effect actually look like? It's not dramatic. It's not Instagram-worthy. It's small, quiet, and surprisingly powerful. - You're stuck in traffic on I-95, and instead of spiraling into road rage, you take one deep breath. The driver next to you doesn't know it, but the energy shifts. - Your friend vents about a rough day. You resist the urge to fix it and just listen. She leaves feeling heard. - You mess up a project at work. Instead of beating yourself up for hours, you acknowledge it, learn, and move on. Your team feels safer to do the same. None of these moments make headlines. But they add up. They change the tone of your relationships, your home, your workplace. ### Why This Matters for Mindfulness Professionals If you teach mindfulness or well-being, this message hits differently. You're not just practicing for yourself—you're modeling something for everyone you work with. Your presence, your patience, your ability to return to the moment again and again... it's contagious. And that's the beautiful part. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up. Some days will feel effortless. Others will feel like a slog. But the commitment itself—the willingness to try—that's what creates the ripple. ### A Simple Practice to Try Today Want to feel this ripple effect in action? Try this: 1. Pick one ordinary moment today—brushing your teeth, waiting for your coffee, walking to your car. 2. For 30 seconds, just notice. Feel your feet on the ground. Hear the sounds around you. Let your breath be exactly as it is. 3. Then move on with your day. That's it. No fancy apps. No hour-long meditation. Just a tiny pause. And if you do it again tomorrow, and the day after, you might start to notice something. Not just in yourself, but in the people around you. Because our practice really does start with ourselves. But it never, ever ends there.