The Gift of LOVE
Part 1 of a 3-part Holiday Series on Love
As the holidays approach, it's natural to feel the pull of tradition, the weight of commercially driven expectations, and the desire to give something meaningful to those we hold dear. The world around us hums with urgency—the perfect gift, the festive table, the hope and excitement for shared laughter. Conversely, for some, this time of year often stirs complex feelings surrounding grieving, life stressors, and self-comparison with others' successes. Amidst the glitter, the giving, and the stressors, we all have an opportunity to step back, soften our gaze, and contemplate a quieter truth: the most profound gift we can ever offer or receive is LOVE.
"Oh what pitiful stuff," you say? Perhaps, but why not try it? Contemplation is free and has been a balm to depleted souls for millennia.
Ancient contemplation practices can gently remind us of the presence and power of LOVE. Cultivating connection and contentment lead to a lasting sense of peace, regardless of external circumstances, while LOVE serves as the energy that nurtures this inner state.
Recognizing that deep satisfaction comes from within does not mean we must deny ourselves and others the joy and warmth of gift-giving—this isn't about shaming gift-givers or saying, "You shouldn't be materialistic." - gifts are often tokens of LOVE that people put a lot of thought into; they can be tangible reflections of words some people might struggle to express. A meaningful gift, a letter, a shared experience, or a simple token can remind us all of our connection.
Perhaps this season, we might reflect on the rhythm of LOVE itself—how the giving of LOVE is reciprocated. John O'Donohue captures this beautifully in Anam Cara:
"In the kingdom of love there is no competition; there is no possessiveness or control. The more love you give away, the more love you will have. One remembers here Dante's notion that the secret rhythm of the universe is the rhythm of love, which moves the stars and the planets. Love is the source, center, and destiny of experience."
LOVE, O'Donohue reminds us, is expansive and infinite, a wellspring that grows the more we share it. It asks nothing of us but presence, and in return, it gives everything. In contemplating this rhythm, we may see that the most precious gifts that leave a lasting imprint are not wrapped in paper but offered from the heart.
The following practices are an invitation to sit with what is - to appreciate the life energy that stems from LOVE that moves through us, has shaped our lives, and connects us in ways words can only begin to touch. The mind and body respond to these reflections in powerful ways. Gratitude and LOVE are forces that transform our minds and bodies and reveal our deepest spiritual aspects. Gratitude can lower stress and improve physical health, enhancing well-being. LOVE, similarly, creates a sense of safety and belonging, intertwining resilience and hope to make ordinary daily life more meaningful.
SUGGESTION FOR A CONTEMPLATION PRACTICE ON LOVE
You may want to journal or meditate on some or all of the following contemplation prompts.
- How has LOVE supported me in my most vulnerable moments?
- How has LOVE motivated my choices, guided my steps, or softened the edges of my challenges?
- Say to yourself and contemplate on:
- I feel gratitude for the LOVE I've given to myself in small and profound ways.
- I feel gratitude for the LOVE I have given to others in small and profound ways.
- I feel gratitude for the LOVE I received from others in small and profound ways.
OTHER PRACTICE SUGGESTIONS
Consider pairing your gifts—if you give them—with the deeper offering of LOVE.
- Write a note that shares how someone has impacted your life.
- Speak words of appreciation.
- Spend time with someone in a way that reminds you both of the connection you share.
- Advanced practice: sit quietly with yourself (not always easy for everyone—approach it with kindness), and feel the energy of LOVE moving through your being and beyond.
This process calls us to value the LOVE behind the gift more than the object itself.
As O'Donohue says, with the rhythm of LOVE, there is no lack—only abundance. When we find it and truly rest in that rhythm, we discover that contentment is not a fleeting state but a way of being. It is a homecoming, a return to the essence of what the season and life are about.