“Our gift to the world comes as much through our being and presence, our smile and touch, our sense of possibility and the mystery of human life, as it does in the specifics of what we do. Wherever we go, we can be a beacon of well-being, love, and care that not only touches but uplifts those whom we encounter.”
– Jack Kornfield
It seems that everywhere I go this month, the question I get asked is . . . “Got all your shopping done?” Sigh. (I do, by the way. But only because I do so little of it.) I really do enjoy giving gifts to the people I love – at the holidays or any time of year, actually. But the focus on “gifting” this month is extreme. The buying, the wrapping, the giving, the receiving, the ceremony of it all. It’s nice . . . but . . . it makes me cringe a little bit.
Because many of the best gifts I’ve ever received have come to me . . . unwrapped!
I’m talking about gifts that come from the heart, spontaneous and unplanned, and often . . . just what I need most. Simple kindnesses. Small gestures. Words of encouragement or gratitude or support. Good news. Invitation and welcome. Sometimes from people I know well and love, but just as often from strangers I will never encounter again.
I think that’s what Jack Kornfield is talking about in the quote I shared today . . . “being a beacon of well-being, love, and care that not only touches but uplifts those whom we encounter.” He’s talking about giving gifts that can’t be purchased and don’t need to be wrapped . . . but that can touch and uplift those people we meet. Even if we don’t know them well or don’t expect to ever see them again.
Today, consider the unwrapped gifts you can offer . . . all year long.
Shine your light!
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If you’re wondering what this “advent calendar” is all about, you can read my “intro” post here.
So true and a great quote. This morning while driving over to C&M’s to feed Marcel & Talbot, the radio DJs were talking about paying it forward…buying a cup of coffee for the person in line ahead or behind you, picking up someone’s tab at the deli, etc. There is a group of women (now 9 strong) who go out at this time of year to a diner or restaurant for breakfast or lunch or whatever and each of them leave their waiter a $100 tip! Last year it was the DJ’s son who received the tip. How wonderful is that?
Yes! Giving the right gift to someone is a joy to experience and it doesn’t have to be expensive or even purchased. Plus, I tell Dale all the time that I’m the best gift he’s ever gotten. LOL
We do minimal gifting and that means minimal wrapping. Most of my gifts this year are handmade, and I’m giving myself the gift of baking a rum cake this afternoon!
This is so true… this week I gave our garbage/recycle guys their holiday card. And stood talking with each of them for a good bit of time. It was delightful to learn a little about them… our recycling guy is expecting his first grandchild early next year. A small connection with those who do the most mundane of tasks… brightened my day considerably! (and I hope it did theirs too!) XO
Another wonderful and uplifting post.
I always try to give a little extra kindness at this time of year, especially to people working retail or in the service industry. Kindness goes a long way all year round, but I know that this time of year there’s a lot of stress surrounding the holidays, and it costs nothing and takes very little effort to give someone a smile or a thank-you!
Several years ago we stopped doing gifts at Christmas. We haven’t put up a tree since Giroux entered out lives. Neither one of us liked putting it up or taking it down. So we donated it. A local church wanted one for their preschool and ours was in good condition. I like to think a whole lot more kiddos are enjoying seeing it. Next year instead of doing cards, we’ll be making a larger donation to our local food bank and the Bucks County S.P.C.A.
We are keeping just the traditions we actually enjoy …………we do enjoy having the outside lights and putting up my seasonal cross stitched stuff and a few special trinkets. They are mostly winter themed rather that specifically Christmas. So, they can stay up all through January.
Such wonderful words here Kym! All year long being the best. I’ve got my Dunkin’s cards I hand out randomly this time of year but I think I need a stash for all of 2024!
Kym this post is just perfect. The pressure around gift-giving can be extreme. I have reminded myself a couple of times that what I have done is enough. Extending kindness and compassion goes a long way and sometimes much further than we ever know.
So true. And I do see more evidence of friendliness during the holidays, but it’s good to have a reminder for those days we are so frazzled that our grin turns into a grinch. We just need to concentrate on kindness. (And actually I am seeing it all around me these days. Including at Costco. So nice.)
You have the best advise and encouragement for us. On thing I’ve noticed is that people respond when you’re kind and if you smile wide and just say hello. It’s amazing!