By Hope Fitzgerald

Greetings, Luminous Soul!

‘Tis the season to be gifting, so what better present could we offer than our December focus, Presence?

On a recent flight, I watched a fascinating movie called Nine Days, which examines what might occur in-between lives. I don’t want to say too much, but I can tell you that I came away with a renewed sense of wonder at everyday things, like feeling water on my skin or looking into the eyes of a loved one.

The film put me into a profound state of Presence – which is the opposite of taking things for granted.

But being fully Present these days can be quite a trick, especially since we’re understandably tempted to stray towards the past (the good ol’ days) or future (what’s next??) when the current moment isn’t always that attractive.

Add to that the pace of life, which has ramped right back up to where it used to be pre-Covid, if not faster. It almost makes me wish for just one relaxed day of loungewear and board games!

It’s never been more important to find ways to mindfully “chop wood, carry water” so that we don’t lose our capacity to reap the benefits of being Present: peacefulness, equanimity, gratitude and joy, to name a few.

Presence, like most things we discuss, has many facets…

PRESENCE WITH THE NATURAL WORLD

We know that Nature is a ‘Go To’ for slowing down and re-entering the refreshing stream of Now, as with Forest Bathing. Heart rates drop, serotonin levels rise and time stands still.

Nature is Present with us and asks us to do the same. When we do, we remember who we are – and who we aren’t.

Let’s take at least 5 minutes a day to Presence the World.

PRESENCE WITH OUR PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL SELVES

During the holidays, it’s easy to become so overwhelmed with the To Do list that we lose sight of our physical and emotional needs, but ignoring these can tip us into the danger zone of over-reaction, exhaustion and even emptiness.

Let’s Presence our bodies by scanning them at least once a day: Are we getting enough restoration to balance all the activity? Are we choosing our food wisely while surrounded by holiday treats? Are we letting off steam by grabbing some daily exercise?

Likewise, we can pay close attention to the emotions that might be building up, especially in anticipation of festive gatherings.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve become quite the cave dweller over the last few years and in order to return to my peaceful center, I know that I absolutely need a day or two alone to counteract lots of social activity.

The holidays can also be quite triggering, especially if there has been a recent death of a loved one. Being Present without judgement of whatever feeling is running its course is a better path than maintaining a false gaiety. Being compassionate with oneself is the key to moving through it.

Then, finding something creative to do that brings back a pleasant memory is a great next step. For me, I carry on my mother’s tradition of making a Swedish Stollen breakfast bread every Christmas Eve day. I get to Presence with her in my mind and heart while kneading the dough… it never fails to settle me right back into a celebratory, grateful spirit.

(Taking time for an Infinity Wave meditation would be especially useful to assure emotional stability. There are now many more recordings on my website – click HERE for access.)

PRESENCE WITH ONE ANOTHER

Once we’ve done all of the above, we get to the best part and what it’s all about: being fully Present for each other.

This is when the love light can flow most brightly by simply enJOYing our Presencing of the Presence of our loved ones…

And here’s a piece I suggest leaving room for: we’ve all experienced so much change in recent years that your loved ones may also have changed since you last saw them.

Try to meet them as they are now, almost as if they’re brand new to you – lean in and be curious in your non-judgmental Presencing. They will love you for it!

PRESENCE WITH ALL THAT IS

December always strikes me as full of mystery…

Here in the northern hemisphere, it’s when the nights are long and crispy clear so the stars twinkle even more acutely…

On the Solstice, the light begins to return, which in itself is miraculous…

And then we have the many significant traditions and legends that have shaped our various cultures all happening in this same time frame.

Caught in our busy lives, we can sometimes take such things for granted, but what if we didn’t?

What if we acted as though it was the first time we were experiencing these phenomena?

Can we cut through our well-established ways of acknowledging the season by Presencing the wonder anew?

It’s not about the presents,

but all about the Presence.

~~~

Much love and infinite blessings,

Hope

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