Presence is a present. The act of being there, of giving one's full and undivided attention to someone, is a gift. Why do we seldom value our own giving of self? Why is it difficult to concentrate on/attend to something or someone for long?

I think technology has a lot to do with it. I value the technological innovations that have brought variety and entertainment to modern life, like radio, television, telephones, computers, the internet, and headsets. But they often prevent one from being fully present with others, even if they are in the same room with you, even if they are connected to you by wires or keyboards. Listening to or watching a show together is good, but it is not attending to one another. Talking on the phone or chat room makes it easy to do something else at the same time and eliminates body language and eye contact. These experiences, even when shared with others, do not make one fully present to another. We have nearly forgotten the art of paying attention. Yet to have another's undivided attention speaks volumes about my worth and acceptance.