Presence over Presents this Christmas – what does it mean to be present?
The further we travel on our journey through life, the more we come to realise that the real gift the festive season offers us is in the little moments. The being present and rooted in the now moments. The snapshots in time. Life is a series of moments. Have you ever stepped back and wondered “was I truly present in those moments?” Do you ever regret not making the most of moments in the past? Wish you could turn back the clock and revisit the moment and do it differently? We have all had those moments when we were physically present but our mind was elsewhere. True presence means that you are deeply mentally and emotionally invested in the situation at hand.
Being present in all you do. Consciously eating so that we fully taste the flavour of our food and the vitality that it gives our bodies, mindfulness as we decorate the pine-scented tree and take in the kaleidoscope of colours, gratitude for our loved ones and friends – investing the time to find the perfect presents to tell them how much they mean to us, no matter how big or small.
Then there are the opportunities to share these magical seasonal moments with our wider communities: donating food items to charities so that everyone has a hot meal, volunteering in kitchens to feed the homeless, and buying ethically from small and ethically-focused businesses that may be struggling to survive in challenging economic times.
While all of these moments are feel-good and full of wonder, the holidays also grace us with a set of gifts that, at first glance, may not seem quite so in keeping with the celebrations. As Master Choa Kok Sui quoted:
‘A difficult relationship helps the individual to develop Patience, Tolerance and Forgiveness.’
Spending time with family members can sometimes test us to our limits, especially at this time of year. To view a difficult person as a “gift”, you can shift your perspective by seeing them as a teacher who presents an opportunity for personal growth, like learning to set boundaries or communicate more effectively. We can learn to practice empathy, trying to understand their perspective without judgment. Coming together with those who view the world differently (and are sometimes keen to express this!), we can choose to tap into peace and love. Regardless of clashing beliefs or unfavourable behaviour – in the past or the present.
That’s the gift of the moment at Christmas – Presence over presents!
Giving your full time and attention is more valuable than physical gifts. Create lasting memories through shared experiences, quality time and emotional connection. If you have family and loved ones far away – why not make that call and give them your time? Connect with an old friend who has been on your mind, go for that walk or coffee that you keep putting off to a later date! Play that game with the children, spend the time and listen to the same story over and over from an elderly family member …. Time is your true gift, as it is all you truly have! Those are the precious moments that live on in us forever!
We invite you to join our online Christmas Special Meditation on 22 December 2025 at 7pm with Les Flitcroft, where he gives deeper insights on the true gift of presence at Christmas with a mass healing included, as our gift to you. Just click here for the link.
Wishing you a very happy festive season, and a healthy and abundant New Year!
