The best caroling so far

Every year we take the students from the High School to local nursing and care homes to do Christmas caroling. I hated it the first year. Christmas songs are generally too high for me to sing well, and if you've ever spent any time at a nursing home then you know that alone can sometimes be uncomfortable. Through the years I've tried hard psych myself up for this day and each time it always just feels wierd.
This year was different. I've been focusing a lot lately on being present with people and the annual caroling trip was the perfect opportunity to exersise this way of living. I went out today with one goal, to be present with those before me. The songs were still difficult and I still felt a little wierd at first. But after we sang I started just waking throught the crowd trying my best to be present by looking each individual in the eyes and greeting them with "Merry Christmas".
I finished and realized I had the hugest smile on my face. Caroling was good this year. In fact, life in general is better when we can slow down enough to see and hear people who are standing right in front of us.