It's a Wonderful Life

It’s a Wonderful Life is one of our favorite movies this time of year. The story is a reminder of the impact one life can have on the world. It is a reminder of the most important gift you can give.
Give the gift of your presence this holiday season. Bless everyone around you with this one-of-a-kind gift. The gift of presence is about giving your time and being who you are, where you are.
Remember that you are a human being, not a human doing. All the activities, action items and to-do’s keep you busy doing instead of spending time being with the people who are your real priority. Intentionally invest your time being with someone who matters to you. Then, be present through focus:

• Focus your thinking – your thoughts have three possible dimensions. You can think about the past, the future or the present. Intentionally focus your thoughts on what’s around you in the present. Observe what’s happening right now. You may discover something amazing that you’ve been overlooking.
• Focus your conversation – during conversations, listen intently and be fully present with the person who is talking. Enjoy the interaction, stay in the present moment and let things flow naturally without planning your next response.
• Focus on your breath – take deep belly breaths and focus on feeling them fill up your lungs. Focusing on your breath is a quick way to bring you back to the present.

When you are present there is a certain stillness and centeredness inside that enriches you and everyone around you. Be a present through your presence, it’s the gift only you can give!
P.S. The original title of It’s a Wonderful Life was The Greatest Gift, which came from a story of the same name written by Philip Van Doren Stern in November 1939.