Gifts

Very few gifts in life are real gifts.

Gifts have become projections of what others would want to receive; they are things exchanged for other things; they are how others want to see us; they are selected from a list.

True gifts are free.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those, "the best things in life are free" people. Sometimes the perfect gift costs a MINT. I more so mean that they are free from "shackles".

They come entirely without strings; entirely without ulterior motives. Gifts are given with heart. They are given with only one thought in mind: I want nothing more in giving this than to know the joy that comes with receiving it.

Henry David Thoreau said it best, thinks I: "The most I can do for my friend is simply be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?"

Is this the greatest gift? A friendship? During the dreary month of January, when the urge to get on a plane bound for the Great White North, I would say yes...definitely.

However, I think we can branch out a bit. We can give, but I constantly need to remind myself when giving: am I giving this for me or for him or her? Am I giving to get that warm fuzzy feeling inside that comes with knowing I've done something right and good? Or am I giving because I recognize that warm fuzzy feeling and love to feel it myself upon receipt of a great gift?

I guess I have to keep giving. As they say, practice makes permanent.