She could not just figure out what the best gift to get herself was. She then canvassed around for ideas from friends and fellow colleagues. When she came to me, after giving her question careful thought I told her that I believe that the best gift or present one can give to oneself is the present. And there is no better way to describe this gift than to use the words of Eckhart Tolle who says, “The present is a gift you give to yourself. It teaches you to only focus on the task at hand. To find the present think of the times when you were happy and more effective and feeling more successful. When you are fully engaged in what you are doing, your mind doesn’t wander. You enjoy life. And you are happier and more effective. You are intent only on what is happening at that moment. And that focus and concentration leads to your success. You stop worrying about the future or the past. Always appreciate where you are and what you are doing and enjoy being in the present. The present is not the past and it is not the future. The present is the present moment. The present is now.
Be aware of the many things that have been right all along and those that you have not seen or felt before. This helps you not to feel like a failure. Being in the present means focusing on what is happening right now. It means appreciating the gifts you are offered each day. Focus on where you are and what you are doing right then and there and you will think of nothing else.
