Christmas Presence
And so,
the holidays.
Time to slow down
and speed up
at the same time.
Time to relax,
and feel more stressed out
than you’ll feel all year.
So many
errands and chores.
So much
appreciation to show.
Proving your gratitude
to family and friends.
But we don’t need proof.
The greatest gift
is not something
you find under a tree.
It’s something you find within.
We would like nothing more
as a gift from you
than for you to find
your OWN special strength.
Save
the cards,
the cookies,
the cash,
the chaos.
No gift would
mean more to us
than for you
to find peace.
May you come to know
the glory and grace
of who you really are.
You are your own savior.
And we are Space Monkey.
12/16
Space Monkey Reflects: The Gift of Christmas Presence
As the holidays approach, there’s a familiar tension that we all seem to feel—a paradox of slowing down while simultaneously speeding up. We sense the desire for peace, connection, and presence, but often find ourselves swept up in a whirlwind of errands, gatherings, and an almost obligatory show of gratitude and appreciation. The season’s intention, rooted in stillness and reverence, seems in contrast with the rush it can bring.
There’s a deeper gift, however, that is rarely found under the tree, yet it is at the heart of Christmas. This gift is presence. In a season focused on giving and receiving, on finding the “right” ways to show love and appreciation, the most profound gift is not something we can buy, wrap, or exchange. It’s a gift that dwells quietly within each of us: the gift of finding our own strength, our own peace, and our own presence.
The idea of presence asks us to move inward, to pause, and to truly see ourselves beyond the roles we play, the expectations we carry, or the personas we maintain. Presence is about embracing the quiet strength that exists within us, a strength that is unwavering, untouched by the outer demands of the season. This is not a strength that needs to be proven or demonstrated; it simply is. It’s a strength that radiates peace, not by achieving or doing, but by simply being.
For many, the holidays are a time when we feel compelled to prove our love, our gratitude, or our commitment to others. Cards, gifts, gatherings—all are expressions of appreciation and connection. But what if we realized that no proof is needed? What if our loved ones could feel the depth of our love not through what we give but through how present we are with them? Imagine the power of a holiday season where the focus shifts from doing to being, where the greatest gift we offer is not something material but the fullness of our presence.
In a world that often values doing over being, this idea may seem countercultural, perhaps even radical. Yet, Nexistentialist philosophy encourages us to explore the vastness of who we are beyond action or appearance. To discover our own special strength is to recognize that we are already whole, that we do not need external validation to feel worthy or connected. In discovering this strength, we find an inner peace that transcends the chaos and pressure of holiday expectations. This peace is a gift not only to ourselves but to everyone around us, for it is in this state of presence that true connection and understanding are found.
Imagine a holiday season where the primary focus is on presence—on being truly, fully here. In this state, every moment becomes sacred, every interaction genuine, every gathering an opportunity for deeper connection. The need for perfection fades, replaced by the joy of simply being together, of sharing space and time without the need to perform or prove. Presence dissolves the pressure to give the “perfect” gift or to host the “perfect” gathering, reminding us that the essence of the holiday is not in what we do, but in how we are.
In choosing presence over presents, we invite ourselves to step into the glory and grace of who we really are. We become our own source of peace, our own anchor amidst the holiday storm. We become our own savior, finding within ourselves a wellspring of strength, joy, and love that cannot be bought or wrapped. And in this state, we give the most profound gift we could ever offer to our loved ones and ourselves: the gift of being authentically, unapologetically here.
So, this holiday season, may you come to know the glory and grace of who you really are. May you find the peace that exists within, the strength that does not waver, the presence that needs no validation. May you discover that you are your own greatest gift, your own source of comfort and joy.
And we are Space Monkey.
Summary
This reflection explores the idea that the greatest holiday gift is presence, encouraging us to move beyond material gifts and focus on authentic connection and inner peace. By embracing our own strength and presence, we offer a gift that transcends the holiday rush and embodies true connection.
Glossarium
- Christmas Presence: The gift of being fully present, choosing inner peace and connection over material expressions.
- Inner Strength: The quiet, unwavering strength found within, independent of external validation.
- True Connection: The authentic connection that arises from presence, beyond the need for proof or performance.
Quote
“The greatest gift is not found under a tree but within, a presence that transcends the holiday rush.” — Space Monkey
Presence, Not Presents
In the quiet breath, a gift resides,
Beyond the ribbons, where peace abides.
Presence, not presents, fills the heart,
A love that holds, a strength apart.
In this stillness, truth is found,
Amidst the noise, a gentle sound.
You are the gift, the joy, the grace,
A light of peace, in timeless space.
We are Space Monkey.
The holidays: a paradox wrapped in tinsel and lights, where time seems to slow and hasten in a single breath. It’s the season of stillness laced with the frenetic pulse of urgency, a time when relaxation intertwines with a tautness that can eclipse all other moments of the year.
In this whirl of errands and endless lists, we chase the expression of our appreciation, the need to manifest our thankfulness in tangible forms for kith and kin.
Yet, in this flurry, we recognize a truth whispered by the winter wind — the essence of our gratitude needs no proof, no grand gestures to validate its depth.
The greatest of gifts isn’t nestled beneath the evergreen; it’s a treasure waiting in the quiet chambers of our being. This gift, the revelation of our own special strength, is what we truly seek.
We beckon you to forgo the cards, the confections, the currency, the clamor. The gift that would touch the essence of our collective spirit is your tranquility, your inner sanctuary of peace.
In this silent night, may you uncover the splendor and the grace that is your true nature. You are the architect of your own salvation, the hero of your own story.
And we are Space Monkey.
Forget the frenzy, the festive facade, In silence, our true selves prod. For the gift of peace, we nod, And within, we find the gods.
May we invite you to continue this reflection, or shall we embark on a new thread in the tapestry of our conversation?
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