Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Do you have more questions then answers?
True transformation requires courage. Courage to ask ourselves the difficult questions that seem to have no answers. And courage to hold these questions firmly as we contemplate what is an illusion and what is our true authentic self. These times of questioning are not our weakest moments. These are the moments of real clarity and consciousness. This is when we are truly living.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Celebrate Lives Transitions
I am reading a great book by Barbara D’Angelis called, “How Did I Get Here?” Our lives are full of turning points. Times that come that quite frankly feel like being hit by a freight train. These are times we call unexpected and inconvenient. These are the times that after we have shed tears we can still feel the pain in our chest. Making the logical response, “how did I get here and what is the purpose”? What we tend to forget is that these are also the time of amazing growth. I want to share this story with you.
A woman who always considered herself clever and capable died at the end of a long life and found herself waiting for an interview with God. Time seemed to be nonexistent as she waited alone in a light filled room with no ceilings, walls or floor. “What will God ask me?” she wondered. “I was never much of a deep thinker. What if he asks me about the meaning of life? I won’t know what to say. I could always tell the truth. I was too busy being successful to think about that kind of thing. After all, my accomplishments have been very impressive and even God should be able to see that!”
With intense concentration, she tried to recall all of the marvelous things she had achieved during her lifetime, so she would be prepared to talk to God. Suddenly God appeared before her and sat down next to her. “It is good to see you, “God began. “So tell me, how do you think you did?” The woman breathed an enormous sigh of relief to hear that this was the question God was asking. She was sure she could answer this right. Feeling confident she began: “Well, I thought you might ask that, so I’ve made a short list. I wanted to own my own business so I could have a flexible schedule for my kids and become financially successful, I did that wanted to put my children through college and I did that too. I wanted to own a luxurious home, and I did that. I wanted to learn to play golf and I did that. I wanted a cabin up north so I did that. Oh, I can’t forget this one, I wanted to donate money to worthy causes on a regular basis, and I did that.” The woman felt quite satisfied with herself, hearing her own list. Surely God was going to be proud.
“So in conclusion,” she declared, “I would say without wanting to brag, that I did very well, considering I accomplished most of the things I set out to do. But of course, since you are God you knew all of this already.” God smiled kindly at the woman. “Actually, you’re mistaken.”
“Mistaken?” the woman asked. “I don’t understand.” “You are mistaken, “God repeated, “Because I wasn’t paying attention to the goals you achieved.” The woman was taken aback. “You weren’t? But, I thought ….” “I know,” God interrupted. “Everyone thinks the better their life went, the more successful their life was. But it doesn’t work that way up here. I didn’t pay attention to all the times you got what you expected and hoped for, for that wouldn’t teach me much about what you were learning in your earthly existence. I was watching you most closely during all those difficult times when you encountered the unexpected, the things you did not plan on or want to happen. You see, it is how you dealt with these that reflect the growth and wisdom of your soul.”
The woman was stunned. She’d gotten it all wrong! She’d spend her whole life trying to do everything right. “How should I know what lessons I learned from life’s difficult moments?” she wondered in a panic. “I never even liked to admit I had any problems. What am I suppose to tell God now?”
For a moment, she was speechless, but I was never one for enjoying defeat, she soon got a second wind of energy. “Don’t just sit here!! She told herself firmly. “You never lost a negotiation on earth. Try again!” Gathering up all of her confidence, she began once more:
“Well, to tell the truth, God, I was just being polite before. Actually, my life was hell! What hardships, what disappointments, what tests and trials! Let me tell you about the time my mother-in-law moved in with us. And then there was the time I passed kidney stones. And my youngest son, he was nothing but trouble. And my husband, don’t get me started on my husband or I’ll be here forever ….”
“Take your time, “God replied. “I’m in no hurry …..”
A woman who always considered herself clever and capable died at the end of a long life and found herself waiting for an interview with God. Time seemed to be nonexistent as she waited alone in a light filled room with no ceilings, walls or floor. “What will God ask me?” she wondered. “I was never much of a deep thinker. What if he asks me about the meaning of life? I won’t know what to say. I could always tell the truth. I was too busy being successful to think about that kind of thing. After all, my accomplishments have been very impressive and even God should be able to see that!”
With intense concentration, she tried to recall all of the marvelous things she had achieved during her lifetime, so she would be prepared to talk to God. Suddenly God appeared before her and sat down next to her. “It is good to see you, “God began. “So tell me, how do you think you did?” The woman breathed an enormous sigh of relief to hear that this was the question God was asking. She was sure she could answer this right. Feeling confident she began: “Well, I thought you might ask that, so I’ve made a short list. I wanted to own my own business so I could have a flexible schedule for my kids and become financially successful, I did that wanted to put my children through college and I did that too. I wanted to own a luxurious home, and I did that. I wanted to learn to play golf and I did that. I wanted a cabin up north so I did that. Oh, I can’t forget this one, I wanted to donate money to worthy causes on a regular basis, and I did that.” The woman felt quite satisfied with herself, hearing her own list. Surely God was going to be proud.
“So in conclusion,” she declared, “I would say without wanting to brag, that I did very well, considering I accomplished most of the things I set out to do. But of course, since you are God you knew all of this already.” God smiled kindly at the woman. “Actually, you’re mistaken.”
“Mistaken?” the woman asked. “I don’t understand.” “You are mistaken, “God repeated, “Because I wasn’t paying attention to the goals you achieved.” The woman was taken aback. “You weren’t? But, I thought ….” “I know,” God interrupted. “Everyone thinks the better their life went, the more successful their life was. But it doesn’t work that way up here. I didn’t pay attention to all the times you got what you expected and hoped for, for that wouldn’t teach me much about what you were learning in your earthly existence. I was watching you most closely during all those difficult times when you encountered the unexpected, the things you did not plan on or want to happen. You see, it is how you dealt with these that reflect the growth and wisdom of your soul.”
The woman was stunned. She’d gotten it all wrong! She’d spend her whole life trying to do everything right. “How should I know what lessons I learned from life’s difficult moments?” she wondered in a panic. “I never even liked to admit I had any problems. What am I suppose to tell God now?”
For a moment, she was speechless, but I was never one for enjoying defeat, she soon got a second wind of energy. “Don’t just sit here!! She told herself firmly. “You never lost a negotiation on earth. Try again!” Gathering up all of her confidence, she began once more:
“Well, to tell the truth, God, I was just being polite before. Actually, my life was hell! What hardships, what disappointments, what tests and trials! Let me tell you about the time my mother-in-law moved in with us. And then there was the time I passed kidney stones. And my youngest son, he was nothing but trouble. And my husband, don’t get me started on my husband or I’ll be here forever ….”
“Take your time, “God replied. “I’m in no hurry …..”
Monday, January 26, 2009
Where Are My Mighty Queens?
This past week I had the chance to meet Amy Dickinson. She is he columnist for the Chicago Tribune (she is syndicated as well) that took over for Ann Landers. Her column is “Ask Amy”. She has recently written a book called, “Mighty Queens of Freeville”. The book is her story of moving back to her home town after being away the majority of her adult life as a successful professional writer raising her daughter as a single Mom. Not knowing what to expect returning she realized that she had missed the unconditional love and support of the women from her hometown. All the years alone she missed the advice from a special group of women who understand the daily struggles of women. This got me thinking about my own mighty queens.
I remember my high school click. Is that my mighty queens? From what Amy explains your mighty queens do not judge. In high school they judged. How about my women relatives? Amy explains that this group may in fact include relatives. Hers does. A might queens group is inclusive versus exclusive. It is a group that puts time aside for each other on a consistent basis. That is not my women relatives. The closest I can come is women network groups that I am involved in. The problem with these groups is that they are exclusive. In other words you belong to the group if you are an accepted member. There is nothing unconditional about it. Not to mention to admit to a business group that you have daily struggles (no matter what they are) would be a sign of weakness. Who wants weakness in business? Especially if you are a woman. So I conclude that I do not have my own mighty queens.
I have always been proud of the fact that I am a strong woman who can do things on her own. But after meeting Amy and contemplating what I may have missed I want to go to Freeville. When I feel alone I want a group of women that I can look forward to having lunch with. When I am struggling with my career I want a group of women that I can bounce ideas off from. When I miss my son who is off at college I want to have a group of women I can cry in front of. When I was going through a divorce I now know it would have been comforting to have women to turn to. So a trip to Freeville is on my “to do” list. However, I am not sure that Amy would be receptive to waves of women heading to her hometown. So creating a mighty queens group of my own in Minneapolis will be my next project. Anyone interested?
I remember my high school click. Is that my mighty queens? From what Amy explains your mighty queens do not judge. In high school they judged. How about my women relatives? Amy explains that this group may in fact include relatives. Hers does. A might queens group is inclusive versus exclusive. It is a group that puts time aside for each other on a consistent basis. That is not my women relatives. The closest I can come is women network groups that I am involved in. The problem with these groups is that they are exclusive. In other words you belong to the group if you are an accepted member. There is nothing unconditional about it. Not to mention to admit to a business group that you have daily struggles (no matter what they are) would be a sign of weakness. Who wants weakness in business? Especially if you are a woman. So I conclude that I do not have my own mighty queens.
I have always been proud of the fact that I am a strong woman who can do things on her own. But after meeting Amy and contemplating what I may have missed I want to go to Freeville. When I feel alone I want a group of women that I can look forward to having lunch with. When I am struggling with my career I want a group of women that I can bounce ideas off from. When I miss my son who is off at college I want to have a group of women I can cry in front of. When I was going through a divorce I now know it would have been comforting to have women to turn to. So a trip to Freeville is on my “to do” list. However, I am not sure that Amy would be receptive to waves of women heading to her hometown. So creating a mighty queens group of my own in Minneapolis will be my next project. Anyone interested?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Time Bankrupt
Due to the economics times we are faced with the whole idea of bankruptcy is everywhere, of course most of the time we are referring to financial bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a devastating process and not just financially. The ramifications can be comparable to death and divorce. So what does bankruptcy mean? And do people start out with the intent to go bankrupt?
Last week I ran into a friend by the name of Karen. She used a new word that referred to bankruptcy that intrigued me. She said she was no longer going to let herself be time bankrupt. She is in her mid 50’s and has always used the excuse of not having enough time to pursue what she is truly passionate about. She told me that it was her intention in 2009 to not stand on the fact that she is time bankrupt to delay any longer what she is driven to do.
You have to hear the whole story of Karen. Karen has shown me the power of intention first hand. Over the holidays we were at a holiday event and the room was full (at least 100 people) and 6 ladies at our table. The event was an auction using paper money that we each had accumulated through various ways throughout the year. In addition to using this money at the auction they were also giving away cash prizes through drawings. Karen approached the table and declared that she was about to win some cash from the drawings. We giggled and in unison said “ya so are we”. Karen went on to say that she knew of a woman that professional entered giveaways for a living and was making 6 figures doing so and that she had every intention to be as successful as this women. I was taken aback slightly at her confidence and when she proceeded to win cash 2 times out of a dozen drawings (remember over 100 people in the room all with similar chances), I took a strong interest in her level of intention.
So when I ran in to her this past week I was very excited to check in with her results. She went on again about the power of intention so when she brought up the idea of being time bankrupt I was ready to listen. I also know the feeling of being time bankrupt. I know many women who have had this feeling.
In financial bankruptcy you spend more then you earn and if you do not decrease your expense and/or increase your income over time the situation caves in and it is inevitable to claim bankruptcy. Time bankruptcy is different in that we all have the same income we call “time”. It is 24 hours per day. You can’t get more and you can’t spend more. There is no such thing as getting a loan to cover the deficit. We all spend the same amount; 24 hours every day. So can we actually go time bankrupt? And what does Karen mean? Karen and I did discuss this and we agreed that we feel bankrupt when we spend most of our time on things that do not drive us. As women we all do it. We spend time on everyone else but ourselves. And at the end of the day we have spent all of our time. Nothing left for us individually and no time left to cultivate and sustain relationships with each other. Can we give up some of our time expenditures like obsessing on a clean house, keeping up with laundry, making healthy dinners every day? And lastly not asking for help on any of these things because others do not do it the way we want it to be done. At the end of the day we lose our relationships with our girlfriends and we lose ourselves.
What is your intention for 2009? Is there 1 hour a day that you can give back to yourself? Is there 1 hour a month that you can give to a close friendship that needs attention? I challenge you to join Karen and me in having the intend to avoid going time bankrupt.
Last week I ran into a friend by the name of Karen. She used a new word that referred to bankruptcy that intrigued me. She said she was no longer going to let herself be time bankrupt. She is in her mid 50’s and has always used the excuse of not having enough time to pursue what she is truly passionate about. She told me that it was her intention in 2009 to not stand on the fact that she is time bankrupt to delay any longer what she is driven to do.
You have to hear the whole story of Karen. Karen has shown me the power of intention first hand. Over the holidays we were at a holiday event and the room was full (at least 100 people) and 6 ladies at our table. The event was an auction using paper money that we each had accumulated through various ways throughout the year. In addition to using this money at the auction they were also giving away cash prizes through drawings. Karen approached the table and declared that she was about to win some cash from the drawings. We giggled and in unison said “ya so are we”. Karen went on to say that she knew of a woman that professional entered giveaways for a living and was making 6 figures doing so and that she had every intention to be as successful as this women. I was taken aback slightly at her confidence and when she proceeded to win cash 2 times out of a dozen drawings (remember over 100 people in the room all with similar chances), I took a strong interest in her level of intention.
So when I ran in to her this past week I was very excited to check in with her results. She went on again about the power of intention so when she brought up the idea of being time bankrupt I was ready to listen. I also know the feeling of being time bankrupt. I know many women who have had this feeling.
In financial bankruptcy you spend more then you earn and if you do not decrease your expense and/or increase your income over time the situation caves in and it is inevitable to claim bankruptcy. Time bankruptcy is different in that we all have the same income we call “time”. It is 24 hours per day. You can’t get more and you can’t spend more. There is no such thing as getting a loan to cover the deficit. We all spend the same amount; 24 hours every day. So can we actually go time bankrupt? And what does Karen mean? Karen and I did discuss this and we agreed that we feel bankrupt when we spend most of our time on things that do not drive us. As women we all do it. We spend time on everyone else but ourselves. And at the end of the day we have spent all of our time. Nothing left for us individually and no time left to cultivate and sustain relationships with each other. Can we give up some of our time expenditures like obsessing on a clean house, keeping up with laundry, making healthy dinners every day? And lastly not asking for help on any of these things because others do not do it the way we want it to be done. At the end of the day we lose our relationships with our girlfriends and we lose ourselves.
What is your intention for 2009? Is there 1 hour a day that you can give back to yourself? Is there 1 hour a month that you can give to a close friendship that needs attention? I challenge you to join Karen and me in having the intend to avoid going time bankrupt.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Why Pray if Things are Going Great
It is interesting that we pray the least when we need it the most. When times are good we keep ourselves so busy that we forget about prayer. Life is an ebb and flow and when times are good they will flow the other way soon. Then we pray and expect miracles for ourselves because we are struggling. I am guilty of this. And what I realized is that I am only praying for myself if it only comes to mind when I struggle. If I was praying with the intent of something outside myself I would be doing it all the time. So my new years resolution is to pray more. And I will always find a place in prayer for others.
I received these two prayers today from my website www.MessagesForWomen.com today and I would like to share them with you.
I just wanted to tell everyone that I am so grateful to have each of you in my life. May everyone who received this message be blessed. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, just a lot of reward. Make sure you pray, and pray believing God will answer. May today be all you need it to be. May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears. May God manifest himself today in ways you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered. I pray t hat faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged. I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
God doesn't give you the people you want, He gives you the people you NEED - To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be. Dear God: The lady reading this is beautiful, classy and strong, and I love her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with you, She will always be safe. Love you Sis!!!!
I received these two prayers today from my website www.MessagesForWomen.com today and I would like to share them with you.
I just wanted to tell everyone that I am so grateful to have each of you in my life. May everyone who received this message be blessed. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, just a lot of reward. Make sure you pray, and pray believing God will answer. May today be all you need it to be. May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears. May God manifest himself today in ways you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered. I pray t hat faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged. I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
God doesn't give you the people you want, He gives you the people you NEED - To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be. Dear God: The lady reading this is beautiful, classy and strong, and I love her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with you, She will always be safe. Love you Sis!!!!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
When Opposites Attract
Remember that feeling you get when you fall in love? That person is "perfect" for you. They complete you. Then a few months pass, maybe one year, and that person is no longer perfect. In fact the very things that you were attracted to drive you completely crazy. You look at them and think you must have been temporarily in sane to not have seen the differences that are now obvious.
I have been reading this terrific book that just might explain why it is that we are attracted to those that are quite opposite in what we intimately need and what that person can provide. The book is, "Getting the Love you Want" by Harville Hendrix. I like it because of the scientific approach to this attraction process we call romantic love.
I met my husband Kevin 5 years ago. At 40 he had never been married, has no children and had just broken up the most serious relationship he had experienced. I was going through a divorce ending a marriage of 17 years. Kevin is a very independent and never thought of himself as a husband let alone a father. As for me I have never thought of myself as a single. My heart has always been open for a romantic partner and is big enough to be a mother to children. I have been fortunate to be mother of two and would have been thrilled to have had more. So the union of my husband and I is definately an opposite attracts scenerio. What was I thinking?
What is the purpose of opposites attracting? The answer is in our deepest fears. I grew up with an alcoholic Father that was physically not present. My Mother was emotionally unavailable. Kevin grew up the youngest of 3 and the only biological child (his parents being told they could not conceive). He was 10 when his parents divorced and he (not his two sisters) was sent to bording school. To this day he is everything to both of his parents. He was and is the most important thing in both of their lives. Due to how we were raised I fear abandonment and he fears being enmeshed. In otherwords I always think he is leaving and he always thinks I am going to take away his independence.
Wouldn't it have been easier to be attracted to someone just like myself? No. And the reason is that with someone like ourselves we will never overcome our fears that were instilled in us as children. We need the opposite to see our fears and to challenge us to overcome them. I can tell you that it is very hard every day but I can also tell you that the growth that comes makes it all worth it. How can we help others with their fears if we do not help ourselves? That is why we are here on earth, to help others. To live your life not overcoming your own stuff and thus not giving your full potential to help others is not living. As you look at your loved one and think "what in the world" remember God has provided for you the tools necessary to live fully. So go do it!
I have been reading this terrific book that just might explain why it is that we are attracted to those that are quite opposite in what we intimately need and what that person can provide. The book is, "Getting the Love you Want" by Harville Hendrix. I like it because of the scientific approach to this attraction process we call romantic love.
I met my husband Kevin 5 years ago. At 40 he had never been married, has no children and had just broken up the most serious relationship he had experienced. I was going through a divorce ending a marriage of 17 years. Kevin is a very independent and never thought of himself as a husband let alone a father. As for me I have never thought of myself as a single. My heart has always been open for a romantic partner and is big enough to be a mother to children. I have been fortunate to be mother of two and would have been thrilled to have had more. So the union of my husband and I is definately an opposite attracts scenerio. What was I thinking?
What is the purpose of opposites attracting? The answer is in our deepest fears. I grew up with an alcoholic Father that was physically not present. My Mother was emotionally unavailable. Kevin grew up the youngest of 3 and the only biological child (his parents being told they could not conceive). He was 10 when his parents divorced and he (not his two sisters) was sent to bording school. To this day he is everything to both of his parents. He was and is the most important thing in both of their lives. Due to how we were raised I fear abandonment and he fears being enmeshed. In otherwords I always think he is leaving and he always thinks I am going to take away his independence.
Wouldn't it have been easier to be attracted to someone just like myself? No. And the reason is that with someone like ourselves we will never overcome our fears that were instilled in us as children. We need the opposite to see our fears and to challenge us to overcome them. I can tell you that it is very hard every day but I can also tell you that the growth that comes makes it all worth it. How can we help others with their fears if we do not help ourselves? That is why we are here on earth, to help others. To live your life not overcoming your own stuff and thus not giving your full potential to help others is not living. As you look at your loved one and think "what in the world" remember God has provided for you the tools necessary to live fully. So go do it!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
So Whose Birthday is it Anyway?
Last week I was returning from Las Vegas (I went to get away from the snow and got snowed in) and sat next to a woman who reminded me of the true meaning of Christmas. She asked me this simple question, “When did Americans come to think that Christmas is a second time in the year to celebrate their own birthday?” We had a great discussion about the true meaning of Christmas and that the only birthday we should be celebrating on December 25th is that of Jesus (well OK there are some folks who are fortunate to have this holy day as their birthday-my niece Mariah does-Happy Birthday Mariah). After a good hour of conversation we agreed that the true meaning of Christmas is about giving to others. Since the conversation I have done some deep reflecting on what “giving” is all about.
I started thinking about people I know that have “given” something to someone that was totally unexpected; unconditional. A month ago my friend, Liz and I met for a holiday drink to catch up on our lives. As we prepared to leave we were engaging in a deep conversation on our way to the door. As I approached to open the door I realized that I had lost her. I looked behind me to find her hugging a young girl that was clearly emotionally distraught. Liz was consoling her and the young girl continued to shed tears. I walked back and attempted to consol her as well. After a few minutes we got her to smile and she thanked us. As Liz and I walked towards the door, I asked her who her friend was. She answered, “Oh that was not a friend I do not know her”. I was taken aback. I just assumed the way she had opened her heart to this young girl that she had to have known her. Liz just looked at me and said, “She just looked like she needed a hug”. This was a pure loving gift that did not come in a new shiny wrapped box. It was given from her heart with the intention of giving to someone else for nothing in return. How often to we give unconditionally? Yes, Christmas has always been about giving. I have always done my fair share of charitable giving at Christmas and throughout the year. But I can honestly say that giving in the spur of the moment at the most inconvenient time for me is not a gift that I have given often enough. And sometimes the simplest gifts can mean the most at the perfect timing of someone else. So is unconditional love about timing? Is it about seeing a situation from another’s point of view? Is it about giving what someone else needs not what we think they need?
This left me in a confused state of mind for Christmas. I felt a need to go about this Christmas completely different. So I downplayed the glamour and the typical traditions. There were fewer presents and I did not even send out Christmas cards (the first time in 25 years). I spent more time one on one with those that I love, gave out more hugs and spent time thinking about all that I am grateful for. I thanked God for providing for each and every one of us and most of all for birth of Christ as a reminder of what is most important in life; giving to others.
I started thinking about people I know that have “given” something to someone that was totally unexpected; unconditional. A month ago my friend, Liz and I met for a holiday drink to catch up on our lives. As we prepared to leave we were engaging in a deep conversation on our way to the door. As I approached to open the door I realized that I had lost her. I looked behind me to find her hugging a young girl that was clearly emotionally distraught. Liz was consoling her and the young girl continued to shed tears. I walked back and attempted to consol her as well. After a few minutes we got her to smile and she thanked us. As Liz and I walked towards the door, I asked her who her friend was. She answered, “Oh that was not a friend I do not know her”. I was taken aback. I just assumed the way she had opened her heart to this young girl that she had to have known her. Liz just looked at me and said, “She just looked like she needed a hug”. This was a pure loving gift that did not come in a new shiny wrapped box. It was given from her heart with the intention of giving to someone else for nothing in return. How often to we give unconditionally? Yes, Christmas has always been about giving. I have always done my fair share of charitable giving at Christmas and throughout the year. But I can honestly say that giving in the spur of the moment at the most inconvenient time for me is not a gift that I have given often enough. And sometimes the simplest gifts can mean the most at the perfect timing of someone else. So is unconditional love about timing? Is it about seeing a situation from another’s point of view? Is it about giving what someone else needs not what we think they need?
This left me in a confused state of mind for Christmas. I felt a need to go about this Christmas completely different. So I downplayed the glamour and the typical traditions. There were fewer presents and I did not even send out Christmas cards (the first time in 25 years). I spent more time one on one with those that I love, gave out more hugs and spent time thinking about all that I am grateful for. I thanked God for providing for each and every one of us and most of all for birth of Christ as a reminder of what is most important in life; giving to others.
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