Christmas stories, both religious and secular, often center on the concept of blessing the lives of others by freely offering needed gifts.
From O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” to real life examples of secret Santas, our noblest impulses to show humanity and goodwill seem to come easier during this season.
This gives us a welcome break from society’s unhealthy round-the-clock fixation on the dreadful and the hateful.
Now that charity and selflessness are front and center in the minds of many, it’s as good a time as any to consider gift-giving in a slightly different light.
It’s easy to narrow our understanding of gifts to things that are either purchased or created and then are wrapped up, delivered and placed under the Christmas tree for someone else to open.
However, this narrow definition excludes some of the greatest gifts of all. These are the gifts we carry with us throughout our lives that each of us develop individually.
They are gifts that can be utilized year-round.
Each of us has gifts of our own. They are talents and abilities that are unique to us.
It’s inspiring to encounter those who have discovered their gifts and developed them.
In fact, the happiest people you’ll ever meet are the ones using their gifts to improve the lives of others.
This is the truest act of selfless giving in which we can engage. And it’s something we can be doing throughout the year instead of relegating it to the holiday season.
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