Holidays are for rest, rejuvenation and reflection. The Australian coast and coral reef always invoke a sense of these things and the calming effects of the ocean remind us of the beauty of life. Watching the ocean always reminds me how precious our time on Earth is and how wonderful life is. It is during the holiday season most of us visit the beach and we each have our moments to wonder, ponder, spend quality time, reconnect and reflect on the beauty of summer, the waves coming and going, just like the seasons of life.

Life is busy. There are jobs to do, expectations to meet and time to keep. I get caught up in the daily grind to complete everything on that list. Yet if I was nearing the end of my life, like the holiday season, I'd take time to spend with my children who're growing up too fast. We often escape for a few hours mid-afternoon to head to our favourite beach, Mudjimba. Leaving our worries behind, we traverse the sand, listen to the ocean and feel the breeze on our skin. It's in these care-free moments that real connections are made.

My work delivers peace of mind to all who face departing this world in palliative care. The old gumtree stands grounded & majestic retelling the stories of life within the rings of growth, through abundance, rain , flood, sun, buds & flowers, drought & disease. Nature recounts the leaves, flowing freely in gentle breeze, eucalyptus haze, heavenly scented, a fleeting moment inhaling the last moments of intoxicating life left ... within the twilight.

This bracelet was bought with a DVD of the documentary on how Andrew Whitefield and his family braved his diagnosis and death from lymphoma titled Be Here Now. Be here now for me during the holidays means being present to experience the love, joy, hope, gratitude, laughter and beauty of being present with our loved ones. Unfortunately for some this holiday season entails being able to sit with our own or others’ pain, discomfort, confusion, sadness, anger, fear and despair. For me as a physician, often this means fighting the need to fix and leaning to just be present..

All of it my family is what makes life a beautiful amazing place and we should all have our family’s around on holidays and every day

Living a fulfiling life is appreciating the small things, the daily interactions with people, nature and beauty. The holiday season is a time to take stock of the treasures that surround you and appreciate them as you would an expensive gift ,for its the treasures in people and nature that will make the memories that sustain you throughout the years.