The end of the year always seems to rush in as though it were, strangely enough, unexpected. This is a time of completion and an opportunity to begin to ponder the year ahead.
It can also be a time of hyper-productivity. There is, after all, nothing like a rapidly approaching deadline for many of us (like me!) to add fuel to the drive to get stuff done!
Then there are those obligatory things we must do to close out the year. These may not take as much time as they do energy as you probably would much rather be doing other things right now.
And, for many of us, the Holiday Season just adds more to our plates. Even things we want to do can add to a sense of “too much to do”.
With the remnants of the past year calling for completion and the future pulling us forward, the time we can all too easily miss is the present.
The word “present” is a synonym for another word signifying a theme of this time of year – “gift”. Consider this a clue to perhaps the greatest gift of all available for every one of us to give.
The simplest, yet most valuable, gift you can give to the people you love is your attention.
I invite you to take on a challenge for the next 21 days: to be wherever you are in each moment, fully present and attending to those with you in each moment.
You just might discover that giving the gift of your attention might also be the source of the most valuable and unexpected gifts you receive.
Do you accept the challenge? If so, declare it below. And please do come back and share the magic that is sure to unfold from giving the simplest gift of all.
Copyright: 123RF Stock Photo
Beautiful. So true. Thank you for the reminder this morning.
Thank you Laurie!
Thank you for this powerful and inspiring reminder, Susan. Looking forward to focusing on our simple gift of paying attention.
Awesome Ellen!
I accept the challenge! :)
Fabulous Chantal!
Podolgo vreme One imaat odlichna poudna. Verojatno najdobar odnos kvalitet/cena. Ama ova so cena za vospostavuvanje povik im e najglupo neshto shto go napravile. Sami si se vrakjaat od percepcija na operator koj raboti bez skrieni troshoci (i reklami imaa so koja gi trolaa T-Mobile i Vip) vo standarden operator. Tapa poteg.
Always great to hear your insights Susan! I accept this challenge … a tool of mine that needs sharpening … listening and attention! So it will be good to have a challenge to remind me!
Hi Sandy, thanks for stopping by! I imagine with 3 very smart little ones (who are not so little anymore!) you are probably better at this than you think :-) Enjoy!
I accept the challenge to be more present, conscious and connect to the moments and the people in the moments. After all, time is really the greatest present to both receive and to give…
Hi Jay, yes time is indeed a most precious gift! Happy New Year!
thank you Susan for this wonderful reminder of the most powerful gift we can give each other and ourselves.
I accept the challenge!
Hope you enjoyed a joyful close to the year and giving the gift of being present! Happy New Year Kathy!
Your theme really resonates Susan. As you know, I believe that one of the best ways to be present, for oneself and others, is to adopt a mutual mindset, seeking a sweet spot of mutual interest as the strongest way to initiate a healthy relationship. Rather than being “just” givers, finding such shared interests can serendipitously lead to recognizing resources and people that might be helpful for each other. That’s not a quid pro quo relationship or
“matcher” approach that my friend Adam M. Grant warns about yet an ebb and flow of mutual support over time.
Yes Kare! That mutuality you speak of is the source of such rich connection. Happy 2015!
[…] The end of the year always seems to rush in as though it were, strangely enough, unexpected. This is a time of completion and an opportunity to begin to ponder the year ahead. It can also be a tim… […]
The information age and technology surrounding communication certainly makes if easlier to increase the QUANTITY of communications though it sometimes detracts from the ability to interact. I pledge to mindfully engage in all communications and really pay attention to people … I know that I will recieve many gifts as a result of this effort. Thanks!
Thanks Lynne! There is definitely a need to shift from quantity to quality.