The Greatest Gift of All

Written by Sharon Nochasak-McLean

Depending on where you are in your life, one thing I know for sure is that we are continuously striving to get it just right.  With the Holiday season in full swing, there is a mass movement of friends, family; colleagues getting the perfect gift for our children, significant others, mothers, brothers and grandparents.   The list goes on with tasks, duties, checklists of holly and jolly fa la la la’s.

This time of the year can be stressful with trying to squeeze all the important things into our calendars, with dinner dates, holiday parties and sleigh time with the kids.  My question for you is; what are you doing for yourself this time of year?  This may be the giving season but the first person you need to give to – is yourself.   Think about it.  You need sufficient time to eat, sleep and relax to ensure you can be there for everyone else.   My gift to you is the permission to take that extra 15 minutes to take that nap, read that magazine, take that shower or go to that yoga class.  What do you need for your heart and soul this holiday?  The chances are others may need this too.

While you’re shopping for that special someone (that image of Will Farrell pops into my mind of him in that classic Christmas movie, Elf buying that special someone gift for his father) sorry it’s one of my top three favourite holiday films of all time.   Remember, spending time together to take in the small things in life, like sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace, may be the best gift of all.   Slow things down to breathe in the crisp December air and smile for all the great things you have in your life today.  This can be as simple as grateful for having a job, having time off from your job, a significant other, a mother, a brother or your health, a comforting home or friends you can lean on.  This is a time to be truly grateful for what we have and give the gift of love, comfort and joy.  Focus on what really gives us joy in our hearts and provide that to yourself and others this holiday season.  I wish you and yours a holiday season filled with love, comfort, joy and those serendipitous moments of happiness where all things come together in way’s we couldn’t plan for but end up being better than we expected.

With love and gratitude,

Sharon Nochasak-McLean

I also want to take this time to send love, light and deepest sympathy to the families and community of Newtown, Connecticut during this holiday season.