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By Gail Lynne Goodwin.

In this holiday season of giving presents, let’s not forget the greatest present we can give to another person… that of the gift of being present. 

4228545999 0Bc69Ac154 BRecently I was in a coffee shop in San Francisco, watching a group of people seated at a table together, all texting on their phones, to someone else. Chances are that if they weren’t with the friends they were with in person, they would have been texting them too. Yet, they were together physically, but still focused elsewhere. What a lost opportunity to connect!

We’ve become addicted to being connected, to the extent that we’ve lost the personal connection with one another- especially in person.

Next time you’re in a public place, be aware of the people around you and look how many are with friends, yet busy surfing, texting or otherwise ignoring one another. Then go do something different. Be present with those that you are with.

It is a true gift when someone looks into your eyes and devotes their full attention to you when you are speaking. It shows that they are genuinely interested in what you have to share, and that they care about you. It feels good to give this kind of attention to a friend, and doubly good to receive it too.

This holiday season, watch your behavior and notice when you’re being present versus when you’re just there physically. Be aware of the impact that your behavior has on those around you. Realize that one of the best gifts that we can give to one another is the gift of our time, our attention and our presence. 

Photo credit: Astrogrl

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Gail Lynne Goodwin is the founder of InspireMeToday.com, bringing the best inspiration to the world. InspireMeToday.com provides free inspiration, each day from a new Inspirational Luminary, to a global community of folks from over 150 countries. Gail has interviewed many well-known names including Sir Richard Branson, Guy Laliberte, Seth Godin, Tony Hseih, Gary Vaynerchuk, Michael Gerber, Marci Shimoff, Jack Canfield and hundreds more. According to Mashable, Gail was one of 2009's Top 25 Most Inspirational People on Twitter.

Prior to InspireMeToday.com, Gail spent several years as manager for her recording artist daughter, Carly. As a result of the success of their co-penned song, "Baby Come Back Home", Gail accompanied her daughter to bases in the US and to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where Carly performed for our troops. Gail and Carly created the 'World's Longest Letter' of love and support and delivered the 18-mile long scroll on a month-long tour of Iraq and the Persian Gulf in 2006.

Gail is excited to present her latest course, Love in 21 Days, a step-by-step guide to finding love online. Love in 21 Days is founded on a logical process that has been tested - and proven! - by not only Gail, but also by students around the world who too have found love.

Gail is a published author and a regular writer for the Huffington Post. She offers mentoring and mastermind services to clients worldwide from her home in Whitefish, Montana. Follow Gail on Twitter or Google+.

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Hi Gail, This a true beauty you cannot manifest some thing big if you don’t pay attention to little things and these small, small things laying a foundation for something bigger. Present is your biggest presence. Thank you very much and my blessings.

  2. Agree with you – nothing worse then sitting next to someone when their attention is elsewhere. Makes you feel like YOU are a nuisance! I vote leave the phone in your pocket & give the person you are with your FULL attention!

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