Your Mind Fully Present —The Gift of Presence — Finding Peace and Magic in the Present Moment
- Annie Ranger
- Dec 21, 2025
- 3 min read
There is something about this time of year — the twinkle of lights, the scent of pine drifting through a room — that brings back memories and reminds me to pause. Even in the middle of holiday planning, year-end deadlines, and the mix of emotions that often arrive with the holidays, there is a quiet magic woven through these days. A magic that reminds us that peace doesn’t come from perfect circumstances; it can come from presence. From noticing. From returning to the moment right in front of us.
I often talk about the power of the pause — the simple act of stopping long enough to take a breath, settle the nervous system, and gently shift our energy. This month, I’ve been thinking about how that same pause makes space for awe. For gratitude. For wonder. For magic.
In the pause we can feel the small miracles we often rush past: our excitement when we see the first holiday decorations, hear the first carol, time connecting with friends and family, and the reminder that we are capable of healing, connecting, and choosing joy.
When the Present Moment Leads to Peace
This year has been a reminder for me that peace isn’t something we wait to feel “when things settle.” Peace is something we can create, moment by moment, through breath, love, faith, and presence.
Sometimes peace is a full inhale and a slow exhale.
Sometimes it’s noticing sunlight coming through a window.
Sometimes it’s allowing yourself to rest.
Sometimes it’s letting yourself cry.
Sometimes it’s accepting help.
And sometimes it’s simply saying, “it is what it is.”
If you’re having a hard time finding peace, you'll find a short meditation for inner peace at the bottom.
The Magic of the Holidays and Christmas Time
The magic of the holidays isn’t only in the lights, songs, and traditions — it’s in the way those traditions help us remember who we are.
They remind us:
• To look for light, even when the world feels dark
• To open our hearts, even when they feel closed
• To pause long enough to notice the gifts that don’t come wrapped — presence, love, connection, resilience, community
• To believe, even for one moment, that hope is possible and healing can happen
This month, I’ve had to stop myself a few times to remember to look for that magic. Sometimes it’s easy to get too busy, too worried, or too consumed by the news to notice it. But every now and then, I remember to pause and look for the peace. To look for the magic in the small things.
An Invitation for This Holiday Season
As we move through the holidays, I invite you to take one mindful moment each day:
• Place a hand on your heart
• Take a full breath in…
• And a long breath out
• Whisper a quiet reminder:
I am safe. I am loved. I am peace.
Let that one mindful pause be your grounding anchor — your path to peace and magic in the present moment.
May the rest of the season bring you peaceful pauses, the ability to find peace in the present moment, shared moments of connection, little joys, gentle healing, and the warmth of family, friends, and community. May you feel surrounded by love and kindness and notice the magic in the small things.
Pause. Breathe. Shift. And grab the happiness.
Short Meditation for Inner Peace
If you know someone who may need help taking the pause or finding peace please share this with them!
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