| You're busy checking off the items on your | | | | ignored and their feelings are hurt. |
| to-do list. Most of the gifts have been | | | | |
| wrapped. And the holiday cards made it to the | | | | The gift of receiving is largely overlooked |
| post office this morning. Oh, but you forgot | | | | and overshadowed by the need to give. While |
| about your daughter's teacher! And what to | | | | gifts require money and time to purchase, or |
| take to the Smith's annual Christmas Eve get | | | | money, time, and labor to make, the gift of |
| together? And then the cookies for the school | | | | receiving is free and priceless. |
| carnival and you used the last of the sugar | | | | |
| in yesterday's brownies for the church fund | | | | You can't put a price tag on your children's |
| raiser. | | | | glee seeing your face light up with pleasure |
| | | | when their candle-made-in-a-milk-carton turns |
| Then just at the same time that you are | | | | into the finest glow the season can shine in |
| trying to figure out what to wear to the | | | | your direction. There's no material value |
| office party, what should occur? Your two | | | | that equates with friends and acquaintances |
| tiny elves run into your bedroom loaded down | | | | complimenting your looks, your talent, your |
| with treasures they made at school, all meant | | | | friendship. And your spouse's romantic |
| just for you! | | | | appreciation for who you really are, well, |
| | | | it's all you really wished for, isn't it? And |
| But you haven't got the time to stop and pay | | | | yet . . . |
| attention. The party's in just an hour. "Put | | | | |
| them under the tree," you command, turning | | | | And yet it's not too late to make a |
| back to your closet, missing the dejection | | | | resolution that this year you will give the |
| flattening those eager faces that want | | | | gift of receiving, the precious gift of |
| nothing more than to please you. | | | | paying attention to every person who wants to |
| | | | please you. You needn't gush or say you like |
| You and your spouse make it to the party on | | | | something you don't. But you do have to |
| time, but when several people there tell you | | | | notice any feelings that arise telling you |
| how attractive you look, you don't care | | | | that you don't deserve all this generosity. |
| because you're bothered by your kids | | | | You do have to stay on guard against the |
| sulkiness as the two of you left the house. | | | | distractions of your grocery list or that |
| You wonder what was troubling them. | | | | phone call you forgot to make that want to |
| | | | steal you away precisely at the time that |
| Two days later your darling sweetheart | | | | someone is filling your plate with |
| arrives home from work with a bonus check, | | | | emotionally delicious goodies! |
| setting up a surprise by placing it on your | | | | |
| pillow with a note that says, "To thank you | | | | Why? |
| for who you are, this will take us to Paris | | | | |
| in the springtime! MUCH LOVE from Your | | | | Because the gift of receiving, the heartfelt |
| Biggest Fan!" That night you stay up late to | | | | "Thank you" is often difficult to give. We've |
| get those dozens and dozens of cookies baked, | | | | all been taught not to be self-centered, to |
| so you can drop them off when you take the | | | | focus on the other person while remaining |
| kids to school the next day. When you crawl | | | | modest and humble. However, most of us obey |
| into bed at 1 AM your honey is fast asleep so | | | | those instructions to the point of |
| you can't turn the light on. You assume that | | | | self-denial. |
| the crinkling paper you lay your head on is | | | | |
| some of your darling partner's last minute | | | | But then, ZAP! in one split second you are |
| office work and throw it on the floor. The | | | | center stage. And that early teaching rings |
| next day you have to be told about the | | | | loud and clear: "Get rid of it! Pass it off! |
| surprise and the disappointment caused | | | | Don't get caught being admired, appreciated, |
| because you missed it. | | | | or even loved! Who do you think you are?" |
| | | | |
| Gifts galore!!! And no one to receive them. | | | | Take the gift of receiving seriously. When |
| | | | you embrace the beauty and generosity of what |
| The old adage admonishes "'Tis better to give | | | | others give you, you will be changed. And you |
| than to receive." But when the giving lands | | | | will be changed into a more self-respectful |
| on unreceptive hearts, what good is it? In | | | | and self-loving person. |
| fact, as our all too familiar tale above | | | | |
| makes clear, the excited, observant, | | | | What better gift could you give yourself, and |
| appreciative givers find that their gifts are | | | | everyone else, than that? |