Your presence is the present

Good morning and prayers for a new year filled with

peace overflowing in your heart, soul, life

and the lives of those we love.

Very simply stated no matter how sad, worried, pained

or scared we are; our presence IS a present.

A present that we can open with gratitude

with each passing day.

The presents I give others have always

brought me great joy.

For me, giving was much better than receiving.

I thought that was what was most important, it is not.

The present of our presence is truly

our greatest gift.

Every day we get to choose what gifts

we want to open.

What gift is going to do the best job of feeding

our hearts and souls.

This year I have set an intention!

My intention is to fully greet every day

offering myself the gifts of

love, kindness, gratitude, peace, hope and forgiveness.

I am sure if you also give it a try, it can and

will be the greatest gifts we could ever receive.

These gifts are all free

and all priceless.

Why not set the intention to give yourself

the gifts we so often save for others.

When you give yourself these gifts,

your presence becomes the present;

the gift that keeps on giving.

Then & only then

share your presents & presence with others

These glorious stones and this beautiful handmade African basket

were a gift from a my friend Loretta who works hard to offer peace

and compassion throughout her community in Philadelphia and beyond.

She asked that I use the word 'presence' and I added 'present'

because both are necessary for peace.

You and I are worth it!

You and I are a gift to all humanity!

You and I are worthy of these gifts!

May the Divine Spirit of love

who watches over us all

overflow your cup of blessing

all the days of this life & beyond.

I love you all,

your presence is a present to me

each and every moment of each and every day :)

Peace be with you, Kristyn