What I've learned over the course of my life, is that we tend to get a bit impatient as things such as the Christmas holiday season arrives, largely in part, because people pack the roadways and stores and gas stations, while out searching for "the gift", for someone they care about. I find it unfortunate that many people in society believe that if there is only one item left on a shelf, and two people reach for it at the same time, a fight may break out due to an overactive ego which is telling one or both parties that they MUST have this item to satisfy someone else on Christmas morning. We can make this a better scenerio. Keep reading....
First of all, realize that most everyone else is probably of a shorter temper this time of year, just like you. If you re-align yourself, your mental and emotional outlook on life and things in general, suddenly life may take on a whole new meaning. Your stress level may go down, your blood pressure may go down, your mind may open to a new world of "what's out there" for gifts. Being stressed does no one any good. But it may shorten your life, if you are the one experiencing stress.
Secondly, why not take a few minutes, or an hour or two, out of your busy day(s), and CREATE something that is specifically from YOU, to give as a gift. When you do this, it creates a feeling of ownership for you, that you are in fact, giving from the heart. And the recipient is going to feel this also. And isn't that what we all need? Many people do not give material gifts.
I find one of the best things I can do for not only myself, but for intended recipients, is to surprise someone with a completely unexpected gift. Such as a gift of just "being there". If you are willing, go to a local hospital on Christmas day, or New Years Day, or any other time of year, and just "be there" for someone you don't know. Offer words of wisdom, humor, inspiration, whatever works. Something to bring their spirits up. Imagine if you were in that persons shoes on that holiday, or being in that persons shoes at all. Imagine what having a complete stranger(someone who has a happy and understanding spirit), or in their eyes, perhaps a angel, could do for them. And then imagine what it will do for you. This is what Christmas is.
Christmas is not about fighting for an item in a store to give it to someone who expects it. They'll get over it. It's not being angry because someone at a stoplight didn't make it through the intersection fast enough for you. It's not about how much money you spend. It's all a gift from the heart. And money never needs to enter that equation, does it? And even though this posting is just a little behind the times, to get here much before Christmas, imagine if you changed your attitude and emotion to include this change for the rest of your life. Imagine what this could do for the world. Because when you change, someone else is going to also. The "Pay It Forward" effect. It works. Trust me, I live this way. You can also. Will you?
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