Are you searching for the perfect gift this holiday season?  I think I may have found it but know for sure that it is hard to find, as it is truly a rare treasure!  Let me explain.

Over the past six weeks or so, I have been struggling, running hard and fast trying to keep all the balls in the air and get it all done.  Only to add into the juggling act the “hustle and bustle” of the holiday season.  The to-do list just keeps getting longer and longer.  Can you identify?

To complicate it all further is the social media craze that I get sucked into. The kodak moments of others having fun, making memories with their families, etc.  I have found myself being a prisoner of my own device.  Yep, you got it—the device is my cell phone.  The dopamine hits from the scroll, seeing others living life, enjoying life and making memories.  The FOMO (fear of missing out) phenomenon is true…I discovered that I felt like I was missing out.  Yes, I started to compare my life to what others are doing, how they are living life and enjoying this holiday season.  The should’s grabbing ahold of me yet again.  I should be doing this, I should be doing that.  Bring on the guilt and sadness.  I was not measuring up!

Another thing, I need you to know for all of this to make sense is that I love Christmas!  The lights, the decorations, the smells, the music, the traditions, the food, spending time with family, the giving, spreading kindness…this list could go on and on.   Unfortunately, a couple of days ago with the help of my husband during our reflection time, I discovered that I was missing it ALL!! 

Everything mentioned above, along with the additional stress to make the holiday season perfect and meet my exceedingly high standards, I was missing what I love most about the holiday season. I was missing the moments, the gifts of joy found in the now of any given experience.

Being present in the moment of now is the perfect gift.  Not easy to find amongst the day-to-day responsibilities, the hustle and bustle of the season, the growing to do list, the expectations and the FOMO.  I challenge you to let all of it go.  Be in the moment. Be intentional about being present and enjoy the rest of the holiday season.

I am grateful for the awareness I have gained in the past few days. I am present now. My perfect gift to you this holiday season is the reminder to be present in every moment.  It is the gift that keeps on giving.

I am wishing you a blessed holiday season.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Contact me: 
chartline@rwhc.com
608-644-3235

Cella Janisch-Hartline, RN, BSN, PCC Professional Certified Coach, Nursing Leadership Senior Manager for Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative has been involved in various healthcare industry leadership positions for the past 40 years. The majority of her career has been spent working in an acute care critical access facility for nearly 25 years. Throughout her work experience, she has learned most of her leadership skills and techniques through the school of “hard knocks”. Cella’s passion for teaching leadership tips and techniques earned her the 2018 Outstanding Educator Award through the National Rural Health Association. She is well-known for her humorous, engaging and personable facilitation style.