Morning,
Hope your holidays have been perfectly peachy!
In this season, the season of gift giving, one thing that always makes me quietly chuckle is this.
When you do take the time to give a special gift for someone…and that someone neglects to appreciate it….do you feel mad? Unappreciated?
Back in my earlier years, I know I certainly did. But now, with the benefit of my years of life experiences, I’ve come to realize….
Gift giving, emotionally at least, should be at the basis a one-way street.
The other person probably didn’t ask for you to show such thoughtfulness, you know. And if said person doesn’t return your emotional gift…your reaction is your problem, not said person’s.
I really enjoy implementing the above philosophy, because it frees me from any unhappiness. I think I can now accept people as they are…and not as I’d like them to be.
And if I want to be unhappy because of a reaction, I can choose in the future to eradicate my appreciation of that person…and not make the same mistake again.
This is one of the best philosophies I am teaching my children, I believe. So many times at an early age, kids want to give things to spark a positive emotional reaction. That delivers power to the giftee, which is not a good thing! So my kids have learned that giving gifts is fine and peachy, but it doesn’t result in an obligation for a return emotional gesture.
What do you think?
Enjoy,
Barbara
ps – One of the best holiday gifts when I was a child!