- Download your #ThisDaysJoy cheat sheet!
This time next week Christmas 2019 will be over, so during the past few days I’ve been thinking about Christmas presents. More specifically, I’ve pondered the word “present.”
I’m fascinated by words which may be used in more than one way — say as a noun or an adjective, or perhaps as both noun and verb.
“Present” is a great word because it can be an adjective, a noun, or a verb (even though the pronunciation changes).
Present — as an adjective, it’s the being present, living in the moment, fully focused on what’s happening right now, and soaking it all in.
Christmas Being Present is putting down the phone, turning on the Do Not Disturb, and paying attention to the people in the room with you. It’s turning off the television and turning on a conversation. It’s taking a walk outside and listening to the crunch of snow or the call of birds in the woods.
It’s using the moment of Christmas Being Present to build a memory when this year‘s holiday has become Christmas Past. It’s focusing on all five senses and paying attention to the things you see, smell, taste, touch, and hear.
Christmas Present — as a noun it’s the actual instant we’re always living in; it may also be the gift we give or the one we receive.
Just like the only day we ever has is today, the only Christmas we have is the one we’re experiencing right now.
Christmas past is past, and all we have is the opportunity to make the most of this one precious Christmas Day, because no one is guaranteed another. And if there’s no guarantee of another Christmas Day, there’s no guarantee of another Christmas gift.
Present — as a verb it’s the act of giving itself, the handing over or delivery of something special.
By the same token, Christmas presents are the gifts we are given and the ones we receive. It’s important to remember, each time someone hands you a gift, what they’re really doing is handing you a slice of their life. Gifts are the tangible symbol of the time it took to earn the money to buy the gift, and if the gift is handmade it’s representative of the time it took to make — it’s a slice of someone’s life that person will never get back. So, be thankful. Show gratitude.
As a thank you to readers who have followed along with my blog this past year, who have commented and emailed, I created a present with you in mind. So download your #ThisDaysJoy cheat sheet here.
It’s ideal for hanging on the refrigerator, sticking on the bulletin board or where ever is most handy. And please feel free to share with anyone you think might like to play along. Enjoy!
Until next time, I wish you the very happiest of holiday seasons.