“Presents”

I enjoy Christmas, and everything that comes with it; goodwill, cooler weather, hot chocolate, carols, and family. The presents are a bonus. During the span of my lifetime, I’ve observed our culture (and been guilty of) glorifying the presents more and more. It amazes me how that growing desire to have the next best thing correlates with our increasing craving for a presence in this world.

I want to buy my loved ones the gift they desire most just to see their beaming smiles, but I’m also guilt of wanting every shiny new gadget that flashes across the screen. When I read status updates around Christmas my inner Grinch comes out. The joy a friend has when they type their first post with the latest iWhatever or the elated faces of a family with their new puppy on my timeline makes me green with envy. And if that wasn’t enough, I then wallow in thoughts of self-pity or plot how to one-up them all. I should feel happy for my ‘friends’, shouldn’t I? What’s wrong with me?

(I know I’m not alone here… Or am I? Please say I’m not alone!)

Our world is enamored with perfection, and we’ve all become guilty of decorating ourselves the way we cover our houses in Christmas lights. Anything to add glamour and glitz, making the outside stand out on a street of cookie cutter residences. We want to make our presence known! I find our fascination with being seen or acknowledged by the masses interesting, yet we struggle to make an emotional connections or have a physical presence in people’s lives.

We have a major flaw in our logic when it comes to presents and presence.  That defect is a direct result of our addiction to instant gratification (i.e. Likes, <3, and Shares). Selfishness is at the root of our stingy, isolated ways. We only reveal the parts of us that are filtered or fake and we keep our real selves hidden behind avatars or shiny wrapping. We, I, need to get better at being present without all the ribbons and bows. We can’t receive joy during this season with our arms crossed tightly in front of us. We have to open up and let people in. We have to get out of ourselves and be present.

It’s not the present but the presence in someone’s life that will make an impact (on them and on you).