What if this year instead of only giving presents you gave the gift of your presence? Now don’t wrap yourself in a box or let your ego get involved here… What I am suggesting is that you be more present, that you be more mindful.
The idea of being “present” may seem vague but it simply means to be fully here in this moment. Get out of your head, forget the “to do” list, quit regretting the past, quit fearing the future. No, it is not hard. Simply take a breath and come back to this moment in time. Take many, many mindful breaths. You give the gift of someone being heard and validated when you are present when in their presence. This is generosity. If you can come from this frame of mind when dealing with a difficult boss or employee to patient, a child throwing a tempter tantrum, or a crazy relative you will have peace of mind.
Generosity is mindfully giving in a way that makes you feel good.
Monday mornings I volunteer to teach mindfulness to elementary students. I was amazed at the children’s ideas on ways they could express generosity. From picking up dropped pencils, to opening up doors, to sharing, to simply offering to see how they can be of help. All simple acts of kindness.
Sometimes we think we need to give “BIG” for it to be significant. Or that what we give needs to be concrete or visual for it to matter. That is not true.
What if your boss, employee, or patient really needs a break or has personal issues far beyond average? What if the child that appears to be out of control having a meltdown is simply tired, hungry or over stimulated? What if the crazy relative has financial issues or depression? Would you respond to them differently knowing these things? Why? Why not just be generous with kindness because it feels good to give?
To be understanding, to offer validation, to give a hug, to smile, to express gratitude, to laugh, to be present, to offer your time, your expertise, your help and your support, and to be present, these are the presents worth giving. Random, simple, acts of kindness. This is generosity.
Be present. Be mindful. Be kind. Be generous. It will all come back to you tenfold and rest assured you will be blessed with happiness and peace of mind.
What ways will be present and generous?
Amy McCae
Certified Life Coach and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher
Free phone consultation https://amymccae.as.me/
Amy McCae is a Life Coach and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher in Omaha, Nebraska. She is passionate about healing and helping others and especially about mindfulness and emotional intelligence.
Amy spent her childhood dreaming of being a doctor only to watch her other die of cancer when she was 20. Her life took an entirely different direction after that and she spent much of her 20’s sick with chronic illnesses.
One day Amy was too sick to take care of her newborn baby and she had to crawl to the phone to call for help. Amy then went on a quest to heal and looked in places she never knew existed before that day. AND she healed largely through fitness, nutrition, and meditation.
The experience allowed her to rediscover her passion for healing and helping others. Amy now holds numerous certifications allowing her to be of support to individuals and organizations. Mindfulness Matters is an accredited 8-week online course rooted in science and inspired by her desire to help others develop emotional intelligence (especially leaders and those struggling with self-doubt and overwhelm). Please contact Amy for more information and to sign up!
Amy McCae 