The gift of
time. If we manage to give that to each other, we’ve accomplished something of
worth. I think it is the best gift we can give each other. To know that someone
wants to take the time to meet us, to spend a few hours with us, to go deeper
than surface conversation—those are amazing gifts. I think more people need to know
that they are valued by others. Unfortunately, sometimes even in the best of
circumstances, there are some who do not feel worthy of the attention of
others. They are good people, special people, kind people, but they suffer from
lack of self-confidence that holds them back and makes them choose what is often
not good for them. I can think of two instances where this is the case, both
involving young people. My hope for them is that the warmth of the Christmas
season seeps into them and makes them truly understand how much they are loved.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The gift of time
I’ve been enjoying the preparation
time for the Christmas holiday, as I always do. There is something about
Advent, the spiritual preparation for Christmas, as well as the material
preparations in the form of purchases of gifts and food. I am always reminded
of how privileged we are at this time of year especially. We have what we need
and more. It is actually becoming quite difficult to know what to tell others
when they ask what I want for Christmas. And that is true of very many people I
know. We don’t really need much more than we have in the materialistic sense.
Of course it’s always nice to give and to receive gifts—that’s part of the
holiday spirit and what the season is about—but it’s not about how much gifts
cost. It’s the thought that counts; we think of others and they think of us. My
colleagues and I exchange small gifts each year (we’ve been doing this for
years now)—spice tea, Christmas candy, small Christmas decorations, candle-holders,
and the like. There have also been a lot of get-togethers with friends this
month; I’ve preferred these personal gatherings to the impersonal Christmas
work parties, which are usually too large and too loud. Always nice to get
together for dinner for a few hours with good friends, or for a coffee break--with
time to indulge in good conversation, something that is worth gold in these
days of quick efficient communication and rushed activities.
The four important F's
My friend Cindy, who is a retired minister, sends me different spiritual and inspirational reflections as she comes across them and thinks I...