Every year, this time of year arrives — whether it’s December, the height of your summer, the days before a religious holiday, or simply the turning of a season. The world shifts into motion. People speed up. Expectations multiply. Time slips faster. And we are all — every one of us — invited into a choice:
To rush through it,
or to be present for it.
This lesson is not only for people celebrating Christmas.
It’s not only for people taking leave.
It’s not only for those gathering, cooking, decorating, or performing traditions.
It’s for everyone who has ever reached the end of a season and thought:
“I barely remember it.”
“There goes another December.”
“Did I even experience it?”
“Why does it feel like the moments slipped right past me?”
Presence is the difference between a season that passes…
and a season that touches you.
The Universal Experience of Time Slipping Away
Human beings underestimate how quickly time can dissolve.
One day it’s the start of the month —
and suddenly it’s gone.
The season you meant to savour becomes a blur of tasks.
The days you hoped to rest become filled with obligation.
The moments you thought would feel special feel like nothing at all.
And that’s the painful part:
We don’t lose time because we’re busy.
We lose time because we weren’t present while living it.
Presence is what makes time stretch, deepen, and mean something.
Absence — even while physically there — makes time disappear.
This is why people look back and say:
- “I wish I had slowed down.”
- “I wish I had been more intentional.”
- “I wish I had enjoyed it more.”
- “I wish I hadn’t rushed.”
- “I wish I remembered it better.”
The gift of presence is not poetic — it is practical.
It is the only way to actually experience your own life.
Celebrating or Not — Presence Matters Either Way
Some people celebrate December with rituals, lights, gatherings, and traditions.
Some people don’t celebrate anything at all and simply move through the month as normal.
Some people are on leave.
Some are working every single day.
Some are at home alone.
Some are surrounded by noise.
Some love this time of year.
Some dread it.
But presence is universal.
Presence says:
Whatever your situation looks like — be inside it fully.
Not because it’s festive.
Not because it’s emotional.
But because it’s yours.
The Trap of Perfection: The Enemy of Presence
Perfectionism steals more moments than chaos ever will.
People try to:
- create the perfect holiday
- cook the perfect meal
- host the perfect gathering
- wear the perfect outfit
- have the perfect emotions
- create the perfect memories
- look perfect in photos
- behave perfectly in front of family
But perfectionism is a thief.
It steals:
- spontaneity
- joy
- authenticity
- connection
- rest
- softness
- real human moments
When everything must be perfect, nothing feels real.
Presence begins where perfectionism ends.
Overplanning: When the Schedule Becomes the Stress
So many people overplan this time of year because they are afraid of “wasting it.”
But overplanning ruins the very thing it tries to preserve.
When every moment is scheduled:
- you miss the in-between beauty
- you lose the chance for real connection
- you suffocate the possibility of joy appearing naturally
- you turn life into a checklist
Overplanning says:
“I want this to matter.”
Presence says:
“It matters because I am here for it.”
You don’t need a perfectly organized season — you need space in your heart to feel it.
Presence Is a Psychological Anchor
When you are present:
- stress levels drop
- memory improves
- emotional regulation increases
- relationships deepen
- the nervous system calms
- joy becomes more accessible
- time feels fuller
Presence activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the “rest and restore” state.
This is why present moments feel peaceful, grounding, and meaningful.
If You’re Working While Others Rest
Presence is also for people:
- who don’t get leave
- who work in December
- who feel left out
- who feel overloaded
- who feel the world slowing down while they are speeding up
You are not outside the season just because you are busy.
You can still find meaning in:
- small pauses
- mindful breaths
- quiet mornings
- intentional evenings
- tiny rituals of self-care
Presence does not require time off —
only attention.
If You’re Resting While Others Hustle
Sometimes rest itself is uncomfortable:
- You feel guilty.
- You feel lazy.
- You feel unproductive.
- You feel like you’re “wasting time.”
This is because hustle culture has trained us to believe that stillness is a failure.
But presence transforms rest from emptiness into nourishment.
The Gift of Presence Is the Most Powerful Gift of All
You can give someone money.
You can give someone food.
You can give someone a wrapped present.
But nothing compares to giving someone your full attention.
Being truly here.
Looking into their eyes.
Listening deeply.
Not rushing.
Not splitting your awareness.
Not thinking about the next thing.
The greatest gift you can give anyone this time of year —
including yourself —
is presence.
Presence is love in its most honest form.
How to Practice Presence This Time of Year
Here are gentle ways to anchor yourself:
✦ One mindful breath before entering any room
A simple reset.
✦ Choose one moment each day to be fully present
A meal.
A conversation.
A walk.
A quiet pause.
✦ Put your phone down for the moments you want to remember
Presence cannot compete with scrolling.
✦ Allow things to be imperfect
Let the real moment breathe.
✦ Slow your pace intentionally
Walk slower.
Speak slower.
Breathe slower.
Life feels different when you do.
✦ Be fully with the people you’re with
Not half with them, half in your thoughts.
✦ Notice one thing you usually overlook
The sunlight.
Someone’s smile.
A sound.
A feeling.
Presence grows in micro-moments.
Meaning Only Arrives When You Are Present
May This Time of Year Actually Mean Something
Time will pass whether you rush or rest.
Whether you celebrate or not.
Whether you work or take leave.
But meaning — meaning only arrives when you are present.
When you look back, you won’t remember:
- the checklist
- the tasks
- the performance
- the perfection
- the schedule
You will remember:
- the feeling
- the moment
- the connection
- the stillness
- the breath
- the presence
Whatever this season looks like for you —
simple, quiet, busy, emotional, joyful, ordinary —
be here for it.
You were not meant to skim through your own life.
Presence is the gift that makes every moment matter.
Body of Brilliance 