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