Welcome,
My friend,
To this Christmas Day practice.
This year,
You get to choose a different kind of magic.
Presence over presents.
Wherever you are,
Gently pick up something small.
A warm mug,
A pine needle,
A crystal,
Or simply cradle your own hands.
Hold it now.
Feel its weight,
Its temperature,
Its edges.
If you haven't yet,
Close your eyes or soften your gaze.
Take a slow breath in through your nose and a soft sigh out through your mouth.
Again,
Fully inhale and exhale everything you don't want anymore.
One more,
Breathing in calm and breathing out any hurry.
Now bring all your attention back on the object in your hands.
Feel every detail,
The smooth or roughness,
The warmth or coolness,
The tiny perfect imperfections.
Notice how your skin meets this thing right here,
Right now.
There's nothing else to do,
Nowhere else to be.
This moment is whole.
This moment is enough.
Silently say to yourself,
This moment is the gift.
Now keep holding your small treasure and let these words land gently on your heart.
Repeat silently after me,
I am fully here.
I am the gift.
Take one last slow,
Beautiful breath in,
Feeling the quiet joy of simply being and exhale with a soft smile.
When you're ready,
Wiggle your fingers and toes,
Flutter your eyes open and carry this presence into the rest of your Christmas day.
The greatest present has always been your presence.
Merry Christmas,
My friend.
