| Gift Giving |
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Gift GivingAt this time of year, presents and giving are foremost in our minds.Currently most of us are experiencing some sort of financial stress and the expectations of this time of year seem to make it difficult to feel the festive spirit – joy, peace, happiness and good will to all….. Consider that giving can be expressed in many ways not just the material kind. Baltasar Gracian, the Jesuit philosopher, expressed that, "the great art of giving consists in this: the gift should cost very little and yet be greatly coveted, so that it may be the more highly appreciated." A parent will often declare that the gifts they cherish most from their children are of the handmade variety not the shop bought. A gift of thought and love be it a home cooked meal, time spent with the lonely, assisting someone less able or other act of caring is a truly cherished gift. Possibly the greatest gift we could ever give to another and simultaneously to ourselves is the gift of forgiveness. Letting go of hurt, grudges, and the like (both against ourselves and others) that stand in the way of our relatedness to others is the ultimate in generosity. Neale Donald Walshe recently expressed.. "Ingrid Bergman said 'that happiness is good health and a bad memory' and it is so true. Memories, of course, bring up moments that are past, whereas happiness is always found in the moment that is here, now. Constantly remembering bad things, or sad things, can rob, you of your present---that is, your pre-sent---joy. Happiness has been sent to you in advance by God. It is here, in this moment, if you will seize it,,, and share it." |
