Best Gift Ever
What is the best gift you can give and receive this holiday season?
In an economy full of choices, it can be hard to narrow down the ideal gift−especially when we’re bombarded day and night by endless commercialism. Abundant holiday offers and sales, coupled with coupons, discounts, and buy-now, pay-later deals can be all too tempting.
Factor in our love for and dependence on technology, with our smart phones and tablets at our fingertips 24/7. Our technology is always standing in reserve. If we happen to have a case of insomnia, we can just start shopping. The result of all this is that we may tend to treat each other like technology. We’ve almost stopped being human.
Listening With Half An Ear Seems To Be The Norm
In our daily lives, listening with half an ear seems to be the norm. We’re multi-tasking on the phone or the computer while others seek our attention. We think we’re paying attention, but in reality our busy minds are splintered and somewhere else. Worse, we may interrupt and mentally judge another while we miss out on the real conversation. How many times have we walked away from a conversation with no real retention of what the other person said?
Regardless of the reason, when we’re not fully present we’re doing that person and ourselves a disservice. We’re not authentic and we miss opportunities to make meaningful connections. We’re wasting the time and ignoring the essence of those in our lives.
Perhaps it is our presence with another, rather than a commercial present, that is the true gift of this holiday season. How does it feel to look someone in the eye and stay in contact with him or her throughout the conversation? Can we listen without predetermined bias and actually receive what this person is trying to express? Can we listen without thinking and planning ahead what we’re going to say next? Think about what we might gain and give if we could practice truly meeting those in our lives authentically, in the moment. What a gift it would be to be able to give our undivided attention to another and receive the same.
This Holiday Season Let’s Vow To Show Up In Our Full Presence
To be seen, heard and understood is the greatest gift we can give to one another and the greatest gift we can give ourselves. This holiday season let’s vow to show up for each other in our full presence, leaving behind our technology, busyness, and wandering minds. This truly is the best gift ever!
