December Gift

​"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why  
we call it the present." - Bill Keane

I appreciate the quote from Bill Keane, an American cartoonist most noted for his work on the newspaper comic, The Family Circus. It seemed like such a small gift he gave the readers on a weekly basis, a family with 4 children going through the trials and joys of family life. Continually, the message was based on the gift of listening. Usually the mom and dad in the cartoon listened and the children asked questions or discovered something new in their lives needing clarification only a parent could give. Yet the message was certainly insightful and has remained current 60 years later. The gift of listening and being present reminds us of the true meaning of the Holiday Season, the gift of giving of ourselves.

At the Voices of Success Conference, Gina Ore gave a presentation on Communication Etiquette -The Art of Listening & Connecting. Besides the fact that it was entertaining and inspiring, her message was also about being fully engaged, eyes to eyes, belly-button to belly-button with a person to make a sincere connection. She wasn't encouraging belly-buttons touching each other, but they would at the very least be facing each other during the conversation. Of course, we all laughed but the point was made and it was an unforgettable reminder of being fully present for the other person in the moment of connecting. The gift of giving ourselves to another.

Watching my son Ron and his wife Yvonne give full attention to their new baby Finn, as they feed him, bath him, bundle him, care for his every need with such love and consideration, I am reminded of the precious gift of life itself. Each one of us comes into this world dependent on others. The miracle of getting through our infancy, throughout childhood and into our adult lives is indeed a wonder. We need each other to survive and ultimately to flourish. Whether it's in our personal or professional lives, we thrive on genuine connections and we appreciate sincere communication. The gift of others.

One year while my son was still very young, he asked how he was supposed to give gifts if he had no money to buy things. I assured him giving a gift is not about buying, but about giving of oneself. Give a call, a smile, a helping hand, a compliment, a reassuring smile, or time and attention to someone. As I watch him giving to his son and wife during these early weeks of becoming parents, I know he understood clearly the gift of giving. Give of yourself.

Here is one of my favorite statements from Earnest Holmes in his Christmas letter; "Each of us has something to give. Let each see that (we) give of (our) best. If we are bringing our gifts to the altar of love, nothing less than the best will be acceptable; nothing less than all is enough. May the real spirit of Christmas-the giving of the self to life-enter and abide in you now and through all times."
 
Happy Holidays to all and good giving,
Hilda ​