December 2025: We Cherish

The concept of "cherish" carries a depth and nuance that sets it apart from love. While love is a powerful, broad emotion that encompasses care, devotion, and attachment, to cherish means to hold something or someone dear with a profound sense of appreciation and tenderness. Cherishing implies a level of mindfulness and attentiveness that elevates the act of caring into something more sacred and deliberate. It’s not just about feeling affection; it’s about valuing and nurturing what is precious, often with quiet reverence.

Love can be passionate, consuming, and sometimes impulsive. It may come in many forms—romantic love, familial love, or even the love of a hobby or activity. Cherishing, however, is more measured and intentional. When we cherish something or someone, we are actively choosing to protect and value them in a way that demonstrates deep gratitude. For example, you might love your partner, but when you cherish them, you take time to notice the small details of who they are—their unique qualities, their quirks, and the moments you share. To cherish is to go beyond the general emotion of love and focus on the everyday gestures, the subtle acts of care, and the intentional recognition of their importance in your life.

Cherishing also implies a certain fragility. We often cherish what we understand to be fleeting or vulnerable, knowing that it requires nurturing to thrive. We cherish time with loved ones because we know it is finite. We cherish memories, keepsakes, and traditions because they connect us to moments we hold dear. There is a sense of protecting and honoring what we cherish, as if we are aware of its preciousness and the possibility of loss.

In this way, cherishing invites a deep, mindful presence in our relationships and experiences. It’s about taking nothing for granted and holding close what matters most. While love is the emotion that binds us, to cherish is the act that sustains and strengthens that bond, turning love into something that lasts and deepens over time.

Ritual Affirmation for December: I cherish my life, then I cherish all that has been given to me. I cherish others. I hold all things good.