Ripple Post 6: Presence as Practice, Not Performance

wholeness| belonging| healing| presence

July 21, 2025•2 min read

“Presence isn’t something you perform. It’s something you practice—over and over, with love.”
– Mary Coughlin

New Blog Post

Presence in Practice

Caring Science: Letting Go of the Mask

BUFFER: The Practice of Showing Up

A Final Reflection

Call to Action: Choose the Next Practice

We’ve reached the end of this Ripple Series—but presence doesn’t end here.

If anything, this journey has been a reminder that presence is not something you achieve once.
It’s something you choose again and again.

It’s not a performance for others.
It’s a practice for yourself.

You don’t need the perfect words. The perfect mindset. The perfect setting.
You just need the willingness to show up. With breath. With heart. With intention.

Presence in Practice

Trauma-informed care, at its core, is about practice.
Showing up with presence:

When you’re tired
When the chart is full
When the system feels like too much
When your own heart is aching

And doing it imperfectly, with love anyway.

That’s what makes it a practice—not a performance.

Caring Science: Letting Go of the Mask

Jean Watson reminds us that caring is authentic, not performative.
It’s not about projecting calm.
It’s about being real—regulated when possible, honest when not, always human.

BUFFER: The Practice of Showing Up

Each BUFFER value is something we return to, not something we master:

Belonging: I will continue to find my people.
Understanding: I will keep listening, even when it’s hard.
Forgiveness: I will give grace to myself and others.
Frameworks: I will refine the structures that help me show up.
Equanimity: I will return to steadiness, even if I wobble.
Respect: I will lead with dignity and receive it in return.

A Final Reflection

What has this series stirred in you?
What ripple are you ready to carry forward in your own practice?

Call to Action: Choose the Next Practice

As this series closes, I invite you to carry presence into your next chapter—with intention, support, and soul.

Whether that’s through joining TIP 2.0, stepping into community, or simply committing to your own daily presence practice, the ripple continues.

🔗 Explore TIP 2.0

The ripple doesn’t end here—
it flows through you now.

With all my heart,
Mary

Mary Coughlin

Mary Coughlin, BSN, MS, NNP, is a globally recognized leader in Trauma-Informed Developmental Care and the founder of Caring Essentials Collaborative. With over 35 years of clinical experience and a deep passion for nurturing the tiniest and most vulnerable among us, Mary’s work bridges the art and science of neonatal care. She is the creator of the Trauma-Informed Professional (TIP) Assessment-Based Certificate Program, a transformative initiative designed to empower clinicians with the knowledge, skills, and support to deliver exceptional, relationship-based care. Mary is also an award-winning author, sought-after speaker, and compassionate educator who inspires healthcare professionals worldwide to transform their practice through empathy, connection, and evidence-based care. As the visionary behind the B.U.F.F.E.R. framework, Mary helps clinicians integrate love, trust, and respect into every interaction. Through her blog, Mary invites readers to explore meaningful insights, practical tools, and heartfelt reflections that honor the delicate balance of science and soul in healthcare. Whether you’re a seasoned clinician, a passionate advocate, or simply curious about the profound impact of compassionate care, Mary’s words will leave you inspired and empowered.

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