Gifts — Giving and Taking
“Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness.” Richard Bach, American writer, author of “Jonathan Livingston Seagull
The holiday seasons are long over and we sigh with happiness as we fondle the loving gifts we’ve received. Other gifts, deemed unacceptable for some reason have been carried back to the stores from whence they came. Nothing is left but memories of gifts and giving.
I know it sometimes takes a long time to learn how to give gifts but I believe it takes more time to learn how to accept them. The art can mold families, heat up friendships, and create love affairs – even magical marriages.
One grandmother I know truly loves all her gifts. Her face is excited as her fingers impatiently tear open ribbons and paper. Her eyes twinkle. Her breath catches as the box opens. And then. Well, then, her eyes tear up with joy and she breathes out, “Oooooooh, it’s just what I was hoping for. Oh, how generous. Oh, darling, thank you.” Her gift can be home made pot holders or a diamond necklace. Her joy and appreciation is not created by the worth of the present. She just loves surprises . . . and adores presents. She feels the love they are wrapped in. Small wonder she is surprised with presents even sans holidays or birthdays!
Another friend, who is sweet, kind, and generous, would faint on the spot if she was told how her responses hurt her gift-givers – and that her responses are self-centered and selfish. Annie — let’s call her Annie, sees every gift as an occasion for immediate “payback”. She hardly has the present you hand her unwrapped before she runs into her “extra room,” rummages through her stash of gifts and finds one to give the giver. Her speed at reciprocating leaves the giver feeling like there’s a Trade Day going on at home. It feels like, “Here, you gave me something but I’ve paid you back.” She once even added cheerfully, “Now we’re even!”
Others who shall always be nameless, dissatisfied with their gifts, let the giver know exactly how they much they scorn the gift. Manners’ guru Judith Martin would definitely frown on that childish, churlish, not to mention rude behavior.
So, although we all know how to give, do we know how to accept so that we are sharing our joy in receiving with the givers? That’s our best gift to them.
Meditation for the Day
‘One must know not just how to accept a gift, but with what grace to share it.” Maya Angleou, Author and US Poet Laureate
Action for the Day
Today and tomorrow, I’ll accept a friend’s gift as a wish for my happiness and give the giver the joy of my pleasure in receiving it.
[ ]
Comments
Leave a Reply
