There are some gifts that can't be bought. A few months ago, my younger sister made a joke about my consumer ways. In the moment it was a funny laugh we shared but it got me thinking about my retail habits as well as my gift giving ways. Guilty of going overboard, I admit that like many I get pulled into the holiday spirit of festive consumerism. This year, I’m putting a mindful twist on the holidays, choosing presence over the usual festive bonanza of stuff and reflecting on what it truly means to show up. This short spin is going to unpack the importance of presence and how the act of being present, like really present, is gift enough.

Presence is the state of being fully in the moment, aware, feeling, and focused, without judgment of yourself or the endless “to-dos” waiting for you. It is about the here and now, acting in a way that lines up with your values and intentions. It’s when you give others your full attention, without planning your next response, and simply listen for the sake of listening. As the speed of life seems to keep picking up, I find myself holding more moments where I am intentionally reminding myself to stop. Stop the busy list, stop over scheduling, stop trying to do it all, stop talking and start being in the current moment. This might sound a little yogic at first, but stay with me, I’m about to share reflections and experiences that connect personal and professional realities.

In educational leadership the concept of active listening guides professionals to listen fully before responding. To actively listen, one has to make a conscious effort to hear and understand someone else. It involves recognizing the unsaid and is at the core working towards relationally understanding one another. It is an essential part of interpersonal civility and is a practice of showing respect, courtesy and consideration in actions with others. Younger (2023) asserts that active listening involves demonstrating genuine concern, minimizing interruptions, and fostering an atmosphere of trust and nonjudgmental engagement.

The irony is when tension rises, the first thing we often do is talk. We try to explain ourselves and build understanding by narrating our position on what happened. This instinct often backfires, talking too much can intensify conflict instead of easing it. Rather than rushing to explain, effective communication in tense moments starts not with words, but with presence. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply be present allowing silence to work its quiet magic and bring calm.

Leading up to the holiday break, I have had the treat of attending winter concerts and Christmas sing-a-longs in many of our schools. While I could easily dive into describing the ‘festival of screens,’ the walls of smartphones forming human barriers, and other curious adult behaviours, I’m choosing instead to focus on those who gifted themselves the experiences of being truly present.

Sitting in the audience, I've savoured many moments of joy, watching parents capture photos of their children, families gathering together, and people pausing to be fully present as the students performed. Just yesterday, I joined parents at one of our elementary schools for a holiday sing-along, where the ethos of gratitude and joy in the gymnasium was overwhelming. As the children performed under the direction of their talented music teacher, everything stopped. I saw the family sitting in front of me snap photos and lovingly wave to their child. I chatted with the parent next to me as she kindly shared her family's holiday traditions between performances. I watched the music teacher smile, sing, play piano and make magic while inspiring the children to have fun. I noticed the skilled, subtle work an education assistant was quietly doing in the background to ensure her students were happy, relaxed, engaged, and able to fully participate in the show. I heard the soloists sing their sweet hearts out and the new band students proudly play their instruments. I observed the caring classroom teachers guiding the students to their "just right" spots for each performance, encouraging them to be respectful performers and proud ambassadors of their school. I listened as the young student leaders spoke with clarity, introducing their classmates with pride and humour while keeping the show lighthearted and well-organized.

As the vice principal stepped forward to close the performance with words of appreciation, the audience erupted in applause and called for an encore, which was happily granted. The students and teachers then rose to the occasion with a spirited rendition of Last Christmas, it was awesome. After the show the parents gathered at the exit, sharing their appreciation with the school as the principal personally thanked them for coming. It was a heartwarming performance that left everyone smiling.

Like all the performances I attended this holiday season, it wasn't just the exceptional talent of our students and staff but the reminder each show offered about the power of being present. In each moment, as families and staff paused to watch and listen, the focus shifted from the rush of daily life to the simple joy of connection, wrapping themselves in the power of presence.

As schools in B.C. close today for the winter break, I am looking forward to being more present with loved ones over the holidays. While I love my work and feel blessed to work alongside amazing professionals, I recognize how intense our work in public education can be. With the long days and sometimes sleepless nights that accompany the professional ethic of deep care and compassion, it is important to hold the gift of the holidays as an invitation to slow down, recharge and recenter. Here's to a season wrapped in presence, where connection, appreciation, and care add sparkle to your well-deserved break. Happy Holidays!

In the spirit of author integrity and transparency, my Copilot AI thought partner helped with slight edits and grammatical revisions to assist with publication.