Sometimes we try so hard to find the right gift that we overlook simpler ideas that might be just as meaningful.
Or, we hold back on gifting others, thinking that there needs to be a special reason for giving. I encourage you to give freely and often, remembering to give a heartfelt gift that giving is one activity that benefits the person on each end of the exchange.
Below are ten gifts I believe are appropriate for any ordinary day and every special occasion. Plus, they are gifts that anyone can give because they require nothing but a willingness to be generous.
* Time Sharing your time is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
Whether you offer ten minutes of story time to a child, a lunch date to a friend, or an afternoon away from chores to your spouse, youre offering yourself and building a relationship at the same time.
* Honest Acknowledgement I hear very few people say that they receive too many compliments or too much praise. We all thrive when we get positive feedback and genuine appreciation for who we are or what we do. Start noticing the strengths, assets, and positive features of others and establish a new trend of personally acknowledging others for what you see.
* Forgiveness Forgiveness is a tremendously powerful gift. When we forgive others, we stop punishing them for their real or imagined act (whether weve been overt or clandestine in our retaliation). We give them our permission to let go of guilt or shame that they may be feeling over what they did. Forgiveness also has the benefit of freeing us from re-experiencing the hurt or anguish of the past incident.
* Love When we let down our defenses, stop judging others, and see them as another unique, holy, and precious human being, we give them a great gift. Openly sharing our love with others can help heal old wounds, build bridges, and even help someone in a challenging spot in life to move to a new place of confidence or self-assurance.
* Undivided Attention Even when we offer our time, our minds can be elsewhere, distracted from the person or experience at hand. Let yourself be with another person, setting aside other activities, thoughts, or agendas until youve fulfilled your purpose for the encounter. People notice when youre 100% present and when youre not, so give them all of you.
* Courtesy We often are so busy or so absorbed in our lifes dramas that we forget there are other people around us. Give yourself a breather and offer courtesy to the people you encounter each day. Simple acts of opening doors, holding an elevator, sharing a cab ride, picking up your neighbors newspaper and dropping it at their door, or letting a car ease in front of you during rush hour all let someone else know you care (Even if they dont thank you for your kindness it likely registers somewhere inside them.).
* Surprise This gift allows you to be really creative. Do you want to drop a postcard to your sister saying you love her? How about sending a floral bouquet to your husband (yes, hell be surprised)? Maybe you choose to offer to babysit your single co-workers son so she can enjoy an evening out with friends. Such gifts can have the most impact on an ordinary day because then the recipient will be totally unsuspecting.
* Gratitude Giving the gift of gratitude allows you to single someone out and let them know you paid attention to what they did. Like honest acknowledgements, a sincerely offered thank you is an uncommon treat. Whether you choose to speak or write your gratitude, this is a gift that goes right to the heart.
* Smile In the modern world, we often see too few smiling, genuinely happy faces. Reverse this trend by wearing a smile as part of your everyday wardrobe. This countenance conveys warmth, welcome, and friendliness, making it easy for those youre smiling at to feel seen. Give this gift that sends the message, Im glad youre here.
* Silent Prayer We could all use extra prayers and blessings in our lives. Even if its not consciously known, another person can be blessed when you offer the energetic gift of prayer. Whether or not you know a persons situation or their religion, you can ask for divine assistance or attention.
A simple prayer you might offer: God/Allah/Great Spirit I ask for you to bless this person and attend to any needs they may have in their life. Thank you.
* Now think about how these little things effect you!
If you had one day to experience all these gifts from your friends and family. Wouldn't that be one hell of a day?
Does it make you smile, knowing that you are the reason for their smile?
Wouldn't it be great if we all done these things?
Do you know someone that needs a gift like these?
It just may make their day!
Making a difference to someone starts with you.
Can you be brave enough to take the first step?
