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Love the Present

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Love the Present

Written by Ellen Kirschner

Friday, 24 December 2010 13:18

It’s holiday season in New York and an already fast-paced town has whipped itself into a gift-buying frenzy.

Head bowed against the cold, I nearly missed an intriguing storefront sign: 'Love the Present'. People dashed around me on the crowded sidewalk as I stopped to look. Just a clever play on words, right?

I went on my way, but couldn’t get the phrase out of my mind.

What is a gift? I asked myself. Why do we give and receive? What does it mean to be in the present, and why is it something to love?

I did some research and found that Christmas is just one of many holidays with a tradition of gifting. In fact, out of more than 4,600 religions worldwide, most have a day for giving presents.

At Hanukkah, Jews commemorate the triumph of the Maccabees by lighting the menorah and giving presents. During the Hindu festival Diwali, people celebrate the return of Ram to Ayodhya by lighting lamps and exchanging gifts.

Eid ul-Fitr, the Muslim holiday that ends the fasting month of Ramadan, finishes with feasting and gifts. Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest honor “potlatch” — which derives from a word that means ‘giving’ — by distributing wealth among fellow tribal members.

I think it’s safe to say that giving is a natural impulse for human beings and a widespread activity.

So what does all this have to do with that storefront sign? What about the other meaning of love this moment?

I mulled it over for a while and remembered that to love the moment, I have to be in it.

The first step for me is to slow down… to linger... the way I did when reminded by that storefront sign.

My next step is to become aware of my breath: just accept, enjoy, and appreciate it, the way I would a heartfelt gift from a cherished friend. For that is exactly what it is.

I believe that a gift is something purely given, without expectation of anything in return. The real challenge is to receive it.

Now I understand why the sign, 'Love the Present', was so eye-catching. It is here, and now, that peace, love, fulfillment and contentment reside — for me, the greatest gifts of all.

Illustration by Sara Shaffer.

11 Comments

Ray Laurence makes this comment

Love the Present

Wednesday, 12 January 2011

Sign above a camping shop in Swansea UK - "The Adventure Begins Within" Every time I see it, I think, that is so true!
Helen makes this comment

Love the Present

Saturday, 08 January 2011

Very true! Giving gifts is beautiful, life is a gift, I am and you too. I am so grateful for the gift of words that remind me, that there is someone who keeps on reminding me that each day, each breath is a gift
janice makes this comment

Love the Present

Friday, 31 December 2010

nice very nice unwrapping the gift of our lives is our great fortune happy present everyone :)
Theo makes this comment

Love the Present

Friday, 31 December 2010

Robyn, thank you for this reminder, as I just read it, I realized how much I needed it. In this very moment. Happy New Year!
Eleni Pouliezou makes this comment

Love the Present

Thursday, 30 December 2010

The present loves us in each breath. We are indeed fortunate to have found an insight into the Breath, our existence. To many people breath is an insignificant fact in their lives. Hardly worth mentioning. What can the Breath possibly offer them? Its just there. The eyes need to be opened in a specific way in order to see the value of each breath.
Pierre Benhamou makes this comment

Love the Present

Thursday, 30 December 2010

who is this "me" who can love the present as if it is an object different than me? it makes no sense ... i really prefer the formula as Maharaji put it : Be present be conscious be fullfilled
Robyn Botellho makes this comment

Love the Present

Wednesday, 29 December 2010

We are being given the most precious of all gifts: the gift of breath; the gift of life, itself. Here and now, in this moment. Personally, I want to acknowledge that I am being given this beautiful gift which brings me life (and subsequently everything). Accept it, love it, and feel gratitude. Do I ignore the ultimate gift of this breath, that is given in this moment? Or do I actually acknowledge it, and accept it with gratitude? Do I love the present? What a gift is life! And yes, when I slow down enough to be able to receive this gift I also realize that each breath also brings with it Love, Joy and Peace. And complete fulfilment. The greatest gifts are being given, every moment. Love the present? The present is full of Love! The heart is full. Thank you!!!
Kristin Woods makes this comment

Love the Present

Monday, 27 December 2010

I love this!
Theo makes this comment

Love the Present

Sunday, 26 December 2010

At the first glance, there is something strangely stigmatic about this. At the second glance, I feel truly glad, not having to take this route when heading for the entrance of my heart. I like this particular artwork though.
norm makes this comment

Love the Present

Friday, 24 December 2010

This is a graceful & elegant piece; lifts this crass, hideously commercialized time of year to a higher level - its true meaning.