Well maybe just hello to the one reader whose reading today as this is CHRISTMAS DAY, considering, many others are busy with their holiday plans. Smile!
I had plans too, but they got squashed. I found myself with my son scampering to create new plans at the last minute! And actually in the midst of our day, something ELSE HAPPENED! And even though I just got home, threw my coat on the back of my desk chair, typing while sitting with one boot on, I felt compelled to get right on it. I wanted to let you know all of the wonderful details. But first, I need to write about gift giving. That's right!
See, as this is Christmas, there are undoubtedly many smiling faces of people who have swapped more material gifts than any other time of the year, for most.
People have different ideas about gift giving.
Though there are many of you who have both received and or given gifts, there are many people who don't participate in gift exchange for one reason or another. There are also those among us who are alone, sad, lonely, sick, forgotten and all else who may did not receive anything! There are also people who have seemingly everything, family, friends, a spouse, caring children, money, employment, and material wealth, but they have no real joy. They may not even fully understand the real meaning of giving or receiving, for that matter! There are also people who are poor financially but have A TON of joy which brings me to one a particularly special kind of gift!
Joy is a gift from God. He was the first gift giver!
Joy is a gift that is given freely and available to all who seek and grab hold to it!
God is no respecter of person! Meaning, what he makes available to one, he makes available to another.
Joy is a gift that means even when things are not going well, you can find peace, strength, gratitude and the hope that things will get better while yet holding on during tough situations. Joyful people are so grateful for even the little they may have, that they often very willing to freely share it with others, with no quest of a return. Joyful people often smile when it seems there isn't much to smile about. They know how to laugh! And can often find something harmless to laugh about. Their joy, (which surpasses happiness) is noticeable, infectious, uplifting, also frustrating, crazy and confusing to some around them. Their joy is frustrating, crazy and or confusing to some because those people are bound. Bound by joyless-ness, misery, criticism and or jealousy just to name a few. Instead of trying to find out how to obtain Joy themselves, they get wound up over someone elses' joy. Often times trying to "rain on their parade. "Misery loves company". I don't know the wise person who said that, but I've found it to be very, very true!
Gift giving.
Yes! There are many, many people who give, especially during this particular season. There are many givers, and many, many more receivers. But how are they giving and in what attitude are they receiving?...is the topic of this piece.
Gift giving is an important subject especially during this time of year! Considering life and time is precious, people spend much time out of their lives in long lines at the departments stores returning gifts they've received!
Like I said before, the attitude of giving and receiving gifts is the topic of this piece.
For one thing, many people give gifts to appease rather than to make someone happy by fulfilling desires or meeting needs. The gift giving appeaser, appease themselves or the receiver of the gift. Often times, in this kind of situation, the gift wasn't necessarily given because the giver really wanted to give this person something in the first place! Many people give gifts to people who they would not normally give a gift to for different reasons including guilt, obligation, shame, pity or to ease either their minds, the receiver or the mind of a third party. I call such gifts "token gifts". Token gifts because often times, they really don't mean anything, especially to the giver! For one thing, there was not much effort in the choosing of the gift. For another thing, you can just about feel the pressure of obligation behind this sort of gift giving!
Please know these "token gifts", gifts given in this manner, usually don't fool the receiver of the gift! In my experience, I have felt I have received such gifts. They usually are items that let me know this person has no idea of an appropriate gift for me. Just a "little something" they picked up. The gift has nothing to do with me, my likes, my interests or need for example. The gift doesn't reflect me in anyway! Which means there was no "real thought" of whether I would enjoy the gift or not. It's not about price value. It's about the spirit in which a gift is given and the thought behind it. As we say, " It's the thought that counts!" It truly, truly is!
Usually people use that last phrase, "It's the thought that counts", in defense. Yet not fully understanding that that saying also defends both the positive and negative thoughts behind the gift giving! Yes! It is the thought that counts! Even when there is little or no thought put into it!
I've received more than my share of miniature body and bath items, random gift items, and useless trinkets. Usually times I have found myself re- gifting such items back out, but as part of a larger package! If it wasn't for my son wanting to keep one such gift this Christmas, I would have re-gifted it back out too! Reader, I don't know how you feel about receiving token gifts, with little sentiment in them, but I for one HATE TOKEN GIFTS! There is not real heartfelt thought behind or in them! They really only inform the receiver that they were thought very little of. A joyful person myself, I personally don't need that kind of sentiment! It's also difficult to be grateful for such gifts. I usually just let the moment pass after receiving them. So, save your money and effort on token gifts for me!
Do you see how much more complicated gift giving can be?
It is made more complicated by the useless, wasteful spending, time and effort it can take!
I don't get it! See, I'm not a person who needs to receive return for the gifts I give anyway! The people who "truly" know me, know that about me! I give gifts, taking into account the person I am giving it to. I don't believe that you should give a gift that you wouldn't like to receive yourself. At least care about the quality of the gift you are giving! I'm not a mind reader, so my gifts aren't always perfect, but I watch and I listen. I pay attention! As intelligent as the "token" gift giver may not know that I am, I am actually quite intelligent! I try to give thoughtful gifts if I'm going to take the time, effort and money to give one. And I also know a thoughtful gift when I receive one. Don't you?
See, take me for example and then we'll get to what had me rushing back to the house to write this article int eh first place. Because most of you don't know me, I telling you this only to acquaint you with what kind of person I am and not to brag. Just so you can get an understanding, OK?
See, when it comes to giving to others, I give from the kindness and true love and concern in my heart! I don't have to know you to give unto you. If I feel compelled to give, more often than not, I will give and not just material things (because I don't always have that to give). And gifts are not limited to material items!
I for one have received the best gifts, being gifts of emotion. And I have spent much energy, words of encouragement and even tears in prayer. And int he case of material things and emotion, I have given to my own hurt. I've been known to give out of my need, depriving my self initially. In a few of those cases I have suffered but "time heals all things" and eventually I came out of top of things. Again, I say this to help you understand me, not to brag. Nothing to brag about. Kindness, compassion and giving are not new things!
STAY TUNED FOR Part 2 of "Meetta Talks"
and what had me rushing home to write to you on this Christmas Day, 2010!
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