Think about it. How often do we really give ourselves presents?

Sometimes we might buy a special something that is out of the ordinary but the normal day in my life does not include giving myself a present.

But today I am giving myself a present.

I am giving myself the present of time. Of allowing myself to just “be”.

The past two months I have been on a gerbil wheel of sorts. While I did not think that I was overcommitted, I was. I was doing some great things and enjoying some wonderful adventures but it took a toll. I was tired and not able to give my best. I kept saying I was stepping back but I wasn’t. I gave up some things but added some others.

So today I am determined to do less. To do the things that I choose to do with more intention and to do them deliberately. To choose things that are important and of value to others.

I also am determined to give myself the present of just being. So far in 2025 I have done that pretty well. The Christmas decorations are still up and I am not scrambling to get them put away. I spent all Sunday after church reading – something that I love doing but have neglected allowing myself to enjoy recently.

I am going to be intentional about spending time with friends. I have a lot of friendships that I want to nurture and some fairly new friendships that I want to grow. I want to spend more time with my family. I want to really be present and enjoy each moment.

I know it is less than a week into the new year but I am off to a good start. I am still going to keep up this blog but it may not be as regular as I have done in previous years. We’ll take that day by day. I obviously still have a lot to say. Ask my family.

If you were going to give yourself a present, what would it be? I would love to know so feel free to share it with me in the comments and Comment for a Cause for The White Ribbon Project.