We receive them for birthdays, baptisms, during the holidays, for retirements and a host of other occasions, don’t we? Gifts play an interesting role in my life – how about yours? I’ve always enjoyed the planning that can come along with gift giving… thinking about what could be given to express appreciation, love – you know the drill.
November is the month of “giving thanks” in the United States and it is also the month when my wife and I celebrate our birthdays (November 24th for her – November 29th for me). This time of the year is always my favorite – not because of my birthday (or hers) – although birthdays are still crazy fun. It’s my favorite because there is a lifted spirit in the air and people seem to embrace the energy that comes with gratitude and giving – it’s infectious and uplifting.
So… as I think about gifts for my teammates at work, for my wife on her birthday, for my friends and family during the Christmas season – I also spent some time this week and thought about what I want for my 49th birthday. As I figured it out – I started to wonder if this gift idea might also be good for all of you, this year.
It’s the gift of turning the page. The gift of respecting the learnings from the past and embracing an intentional focus on today and the future. It’s a gift of self-love, so that we can become the truest versions of ourselves, which in turn creates such a good experience for those around us. I’ve been working, since 2008, to surrender to the reality that I’m doing the absolute best I can, while still enjoying my time on earth. I’m learning and growing daily – and I know you are too, even if you don’t feel it or believe as you read this. You all deserve love, honor, respect, care, compassion, adventure, peace, and the growth that comes from the daily work you put into your life.
The ultimate gift, from my perspective, is giving love to yourself, so that you can rain that beautiful energy on everyone and everything around you. That’s what I’m giving myself this year and for the rest of the years that I’m blessed to be on this planet. I wish the same for all of you.
Happy Thanksgiving and love is on its way to you now…
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