Unexpected Gifts
Gifts are wonderful. Most gift giving and receiving is predictable, gifts exchanged at prescribed times in agreed to places. These are good times and usually appreciated by everyone. We should keep this practice.
Unexpected gifts come in two categories -- intentional and unintentional. Each of these categories have two subcategories -- giving and receiving. First, intentional unexpected gift giving is when you choose to surprise someone with a gift. This results in the recipient not prepared for your generosity. Sometimes the recipient has early guilt for not reciprocating, which is sad (and the topic of another post). Many times, however, the recipient is emotionally moved by such an act of kindness and this is pleasing to the giver. Good times.
This second category -- the recipient of the intentional unexpected gift is often inspired to create the same surprise for someone else. In pyramid fashion more and more people become involved and the world becomes a better place. When the recipient of the intentional unexpected gift is unmoved by such an act of generosity the world is closer to becoming a bitter place. This, too, is sad.
Third, the unintentional gift giver is a rare and underappreciated person who, simply by carrying out an essence of generosity blesses others. We need more people in this category. Their ability to naturally, without fanfare, say or do those things, unknowingly, creates the likelihood that when you are around them we are all the better off for it. Prayers of thanksgiving ascend for people who come into our lives at the precise moments when we needed them. Without intending good will and with no desire to be noticed, we carry on wondering how we could ever have existed without such benevolence. They're like angels to us. Just like angels.
This fourth category, the unintentional gift receiver, carries quite a lengthy membership list. Because of category three and the incredible, kind, positive influence of the few, we, the many, are left with a decision -- become indifferent to such generosity, or worse, believe we are entitled to such gifts. How tragic to be the recipient of an unexpected gift, intentional or unintentional, and allow it to die with us. How shameful to be so preoccupied with ourselves that we choose not to "pass it forward".
At this time of year when gifts can be given and received with the predictability of a metronome and the excitement of a metronome, pause and give thanks for the unexpected gifts. Better yet, become an unexpected gift giver. Thank you from all of us!
Unexpected gifts come in two categories -- intentional and unintentional. Each of these categories have two subcategories -- giving and receiving. First, intentional unexpected gift giving is when you choose to surprise someone with a gift. This results in the recipient not prepared for your generosity. Sometimes the recipient has early guilt for not reciprocating, which is sad (and the topic of another post). Many times, however, the recipient is emotionally moved by such an act of kindness and this is pleasing to the giver. Good times.
This second category -- the recipient of the intentional unexpected gift is often inspired to create the same surprise for someone else. In pyramid fashion more and more people become involved and the world becomes a better place. When the recipient of the intentional unexpected gift is unmoved by such an act of generosity the world is closer to becoming a bitter place. This, too, is sad.
Third, the unintentional gift giver is a rare and underappreciated person who, simply by carrying out an essence of generosity blesses others. We need more people in this category. Their ability to naturally, without fanfare, say or do those things, unknowingly, creates the likelihood that when you are around them we are all the better off for it. Prayers of thanksgiving ascend for people who come into our lives at the precise moments when we needed them. Without intending good will and with no desire to be noticed, we carry on wondering how we could ever have existed without such benevolence. They're like angels to us. Just like angels.
This fourth category, the unintentional gift receiver, carries quite a lengthy membership list. Because of category three and the incredible, kind, positive influence of the few, we, the many, are left with a decision -- become indifferent to such generosity, or worse, believe we are entitled to such gifts. How tragic to be the recipient of an unexpected gift, intentional or unintentional, and allow it to die with us. How shameful to be so preoccupied with ourselves that we choose not to "pass it forward".
At this time of year when gifts can be given and received with the predictability of a metronome and the excitement of a metronome, pause and give thanks for the unexpected gifts. Better yet, become an unexpected gift giver. Thank you from all of us!
posted by Joe Marek | 7:35 PM
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