Gifts: Appreciation
Have you ever had that holiday moment where the presents are all opened and you have a vague sense of disappointment? Bound to happen! There is so much pressure to give others what they really want, to find the perfect present—and then when we don’t get what we really want, we can feel empty. One of the operating principles of the universe, I believe, is the idea that if there is something we really want, we should try giving it to others first. And if there is something we truly need, we should give it to ourselves.
Let’s take the idea of appreciation. We all want to feel truly appreciated. If we don’t feel appreciated, first reach out to someone else and show your appreciation to him or her. But then, we also have to learn how to appreciate ourselves. And if that means buying yourself the gift you really wanted, that’s OK. But more likely, it’s about finding one of the gifts inside of you that only you can unwrap, and then sharing that gift with others.
What are the gifts inside of you that you can share?
Maria, You are deeply appreciated!! Thank you.
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MARIA! I, for one, truly appreciate the person that you are, the person that you have become over the years, and the person that is about to unfold in the future. You are a true ‘soul mate.’ I have somewhat personally and socially connected with you through this wonderful blog the last few years, and since it is ever evolving into something more wonderful each passing year, so have you, I and others evolved along with it. Keep up the excellent job that you are doing for the greater good. I know that you have your detractors, we all do, no matter how we try. Since no one is perfect, you carry on. As the saying goes “The world is your oyster.” You definitely are the pearl! Again, Merry Christmas.
By the way, I feel appreciated when I can make others feel that way. As for buying something for myself, only when it is ‘needed’, and not so much ‘wanted’. How much can, and does an individual need? If it is to make yourself feel more appreciated, then this will be short-lived because we will always want more. Having more is not conducive to being happy and feeling appreciated. One needs to feel well with one’s self first, before we can help others feel well and appreciated themselves.
Laughter, that’s my gift. Material gifts are simply impossible to find for my family and friends, they all manage to buy whatever they want themselves. It’s a laugh, or positive comment or fun story they seek by knowing or contacting me. I love this! Sometimes it’s not even that what I say is funny, it’s that I laugh at something a friend or family member says to me. I like a smile even from a stranger, and once made James Brown laugh in person about a year before he died. I ran into him in an airport and said to him, “jump back and touch myself”. It was his own line/lyric from a song, and well received. Before that day, I’d never seen him. So fun to make someone famous laugh.
I always enjoy your writing Maria:) Your thoughts and insight are so intriguing. I hope you get back to Australia in ’14, and maybe drag one of your kids there too:)
Thank you so much Ladies! I appreciate and love all of you and hope you are having a wonderful day and feeling loved. Merry Christmas! XOXO