Presence

I’ve been thinking about gift-giving lately. Selecting good gifts, wrapping them, receiving them, and enjoying them — I love it all. But recently I’ve been pondering the presents that don’t come in a box and aren’t sold in a store or online. You know the kind I’m talking about: Time. Patience. Unconditional love. Encouragement. Laughter. Understanding. Acceptance. What is it about these gifts that make them so hard to give at times? What is it about human nature that makes us more inclined to purchase a present than give of ourselves? What if this were the year that all that changed?

Don’t get me wrong. I spent much of last night wading through wrapping paper, bows and gift tags. I folded corners, fluffed up tissue, and enjoyed every minute of the holiday preparations. But as I did, I also thought about how I might give in other ways to myself and my loved ones this holiday season and long into the new year. I’m actually excited to try.

I invite you to ponder and try along with me. See how it changes the tenor of your home and work life. See how it makes you feel about yourself. See what it does for the people and places that are important to you. And for your community at large.

As author and researcher Amy Cuddy puts it, “ We all face daunting moments that must be met with poise if we want to feel good about ourselves and make progress in our lives. Presence gives us the power to rise to these moments.” The world definitely needs more presence than presents. So do our kids. What can you put under your tree this week?

We can’t heal the world today, but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, an act of kindness.

—Mary Davis

Recent New York City sights that make my heart happy.

 

 

 

Warmest wishes for a beautiful Christmas holiday. May your normal be extra-ordinary this week and beyond!