Lasting Gifts

The most important gifts are not those that you can hold in your hand.

These, in their purest form, are simply an outward representation of the gifts that are the most lasting: the gifts of Time, Attention, Thought, Caring, Peace of Mind, True Friendship, Acceptance, Patience, Tolerance, Laughter, Joy, Freedom of Expression, Companionship, Insight, Understanding, Compassion.
Following are some examples. I have left some of the gifts on this list blank for you to express your own thoughts. Add ideas of your own. nn- Time: Today's world is so complicated. What can you do to un-complicate the life of someone you know?
- Attention: The gift of attention is being fully present and focused on the other person, what they are communicating, thinking, saying.
- Thought: Thinking of someone? Let them know you are sending them good thoughts.
- Caring:
- Peace of Mind: Putting someone's mind at ease can be as simple as keeping an eye on their house or walking their dog while they are out of town.
- True Friendship: A true friend knows that even if you are acting like a total jerk, the condition is only temporary.
- Acceptance: We can always find something to appreciate, even with people we do not know or understand.
- Patience: Let someone in line ahead of you.
- Tolerance: Give people the benefit of the doubt
- Laughter: Laughter has been called the 'shock absorber' of life. It releases healing endorphins into your body.
- Joy:
- Freedom of Expression: Allow people to be who they are without judgement.
- Companionship:
- Insight:
- Understanding:
- Compassion:

Remember that we must first own whatever we give or we are unable to give it. Every gift on this list we give ourselves as we extend it to others. For example, if we give the gift of companionship to someone we are giving ourselves that same gift.

It is just wonderful the way this works. Rather than depleting our spiritual bank account, the more we give in this way the more we have.

Sometimes what is really important in life becomes obscured by outer concerns. These have a tendency to make us feel poor and wanting when we are not and to pull our attention to focus on the attainment of symbols of a rich existence, which can ultimately leave us destitute if we lack perspective and balance.

Note also that power, recognition, reputation, influence, control, and manipulation are not included on this list of lasting gifts. Our real life exists elsewhere, for if these inner gifts are ignored or lacking the rest are empty icons that can symbolize ultimately not abundance, but lack.

Money and possessions are not in themselves important. Only what they represent has meaning.

We are fortunate to be both rich and can be generous with gifts that have real value. The rest, in the end, is truly nothing. My wish for all of us this holiday season, is the ability to recognize, express, appreciate, and share the lasting gifts in our lives.

Anticipate a great day. It's YOURS!

Gail nn