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Back in the day I spent a ton of money on Christmas gifts. Now I prefer to focus my time, attention and resources on opening my home to family and friends, sharing a great meal, laughing and honoring the people that mean the world to me.
Gift giving is wonderful and I certainly love to receive, but gifts from the heart are the ones that matter the most.
Here is my favorite list of gifts that you can give this Christmas that won’t cost a dime but will certainly fill your soul!
The Gift of Listening – When you engage in the task of listening… truly listening, you are connecting with that other person in a way that lets them know how much they matter to you. While you sit there intently listening – not daydreaming, planning or interrupting – you are connecting at a deep place where two souls join together for the betterment of each other. As the listener, you gain something too: the deep fulfillment of lending yourself to another in friendship and love.
The Gift of Laughter – “Laughter is the best medicine” is how the quote is known and I couldn’t agree more. Nothing makes me feel better than to share a good laugh with a friend. It lifts my spirits and the other person’s too. Share a joke, funny story, or a cartoon and share the gift of laughter with others.
The Gift of Kindness – I realized the other day that it is just as easy to be kind to someone as it is to be nasty…almost easier because one leaves you feeling good about yourself while the other leaves you feeling empty. Be kind to others by sharing simple gestures of yourself. This could be opening a door for someone, being a good driver on the roadways, sharing a kind word or a simple smile. Watch how these gestures of kindness fill you up and help you be a better person.
The Gift of Affection – Nothing feels better than a hug! I love to give hugs and I love to get them, too. And, I love to pair it with a kiss on the cheek! Maybe it’s the Italian in me, I’m not quite sure. But what I am sure about is how much those little gestures of affection let me express to my family and friends how much they mean to me.
The Gift of Service – I believe that we are on this earth to be of service to others. Giving of your time and talents to the benefit of someone else is the most wonderful gift you can ever give. Service comes in many forms but can include giving blood to help save a life, feeding the hungry, volunteering for a local charity, or helping an elderly neighbor with household chores. The list is endless. But one thing is certain – helping others fills the heart and soul in ways that nothing else can.
The Gift of Solitude – Sometimes we need to be alone. Maybe we need time to sort through a problem or time to re-energize ourselves. Others need this time as well. This Christmas, learn to respect other people’s need and give the gift of solitude by leaving them the time they need for self reflection and privacy.
The Gift of Courage – This gift allows you to be courageous, to speak your truth always and to stand in your power as a person. Give this gift to yourself. Be honest with yourself about what you want and don’t want in your life. Take good care of yourself…this is not about being selfish; it’s about taking time to care for you!
The Gift of Appreciation – Mother Theresa said, “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” Take a moment to think about your family and friends. Make a list of all the things that you appreciate about them. Keep this list in a safe place, maybe in your journal or with your will. Just imagine what this gift of appreciation will mean to people after you’ve gone. Your last words to them will be a heartfelt treasure they will never forget. You will show clearly how you recognized, admired and valued their unique qualities. You will acknowledge with gratitude what they meant to you. This gift of appreciation will be the memory of your heart and will live on. This Christmas, don’t delay in giving the Gift of Appreciation. Share your feelings this holiday with the ones you love.
May this Christmas Season fill your home with Joy, your heart with Love, and your life with Peace.
