It’s a magical time of year
This time of year can be so magical. There are lights going up all over the neighbourhood. There are opportunities to connect with old friends. Last week there were children running (or walking really fast because they were probably told to slow down by their teacher) around the neighbourhood putting brown bags in mailboxes and asking that we fill them with food to gift to the food bank. It was impossible not to feel their excitement with being outside instead of in the classroom and feeling their joy in being part of giving to others.
And there are moments when it’s not
It is also a time of year where we can feel pressure. Pressure to make things just perfect for other people and for ourselves. Pressure to finish up projects so we can start the new year off with a clean slate. Pressure to buy that perfect gift for that special person. And there are lists. Writing lists of what needs to be done. Hearing lists of the best movies, music, books, events of the year.
Cocoon, hibernate and reflect
We’re also approaching the darkest time of year encouraging us to cocoon, to hibernate and to reflect. There is so much to reflect on this time of year – the things that happened in the past year, the things we have accomplished, the things we may still wish to accomplish. In this what can be a very hectic time of year, I invite you to give yourself a gift by creating some time out to reflect. There are two things worth reflecting on this time of year (well any time of year really):
- What is magical about your life? (No matter what situation you are in at this moment, there is magic to be found all around you, in the little things).
- What are the gifts you have to share with the world? (You would be surprised just how many you have that you overlook or perhaps hideaway).
The magic
This time of year we can be running so fast that we forget to just notice the magic that life presents us every day. For me this morning the silence of the early morning is magical with its stillness and opportunity, the warmth of my coffee cup (full of tea actually), the sense of my ribs expanding as I take a breath, the blossoms that are out on the African violet I did not ever think would survive more than a month and is thriving after five years. It is also magical to think how it was gifted to me by a group of amazing women just after my mother died. That is the magic worth looking for.
The gifts
In this hectic time of finding gifts for others, we can forget that we are full of gifts without buying a thing. Just our presence can be a gift and in fact, our presence is our greatest gift. So take some time and write a list of the gifts that you already are. (I am noticing how hesitant I am to share this list -hmmmm – something to reflect on). So here it goes: I have the gift of making the most delicious brownies, I have the gift of deeply listening to others, I have the gift of curiosity, I have the gift of laughter that is contagious, I have the gift of caring. So that gives you a sense of how to begin. I invite you to make a list of 50 (yes 50) gifts that you have to give just by being you. Remember you are amazing, you are so capable, you are unique, you are full of magic and gifts. Hey and this time of year, give the greatest gift of all – recognizing and celebrating the gifts that those around you bring to you – take some time and let them know. May this season be filled with love, magic and the gift that you have for the world – your presence. Alison