In keeping with the holiday spirit, I resolve to keep on giving for the entire year of 2012. The things I will give are from a list compiled by a woman named Denise Bissonnette. These things are free but not necessarily easy to give.
1. Visibility
A lot of people feel unnoticed, unseen, unheard. People with serious mental illnesses, homeless people, alcoholics and addicts, and even the unemployed. I'm going to make an effort to let these people know I "see" them. A smile and hello. A short conversation. Anything to acknowledge that person is not in this world alone.
2. An honest compliment
People are starving to be affirmed. To notice what a person is doing right is a gift we can afford to give in just about any situation.
3. Thanks
How about a little gratitude? How much do we take for granted? There are a gazillion ways others make our lives a little easier everyday. If we can feel gratitude we sure as hell can verbalize it.
4. A heartfelt apology
This is for someone we have caused emotional pain. This gift should be wrapped in acknowledgement of the other persons pain and not wrapped in our excuses. This gift can be given at the moment of the offense or months later. There is no expiration date.
5. The benefit of the doubt
What if we could completely mess something up and not have to worry that others are thinking about the worst of our intentions? What if you really were "innocent until proven guilty" in the hearts of others. Why not give that gift to others?
6. Forgiveness
There is no way to explain the enormity of this gift. If you have ever truly been forgiven you know what I mean. If we are really going to live in the present why fill it with a grudge? Forgiveness is a gift for us as well as the other party.
7. Kindness
Kindness brings out the best in us and has no negative side effects.
8. Tolerance
Tolerance is giving to every other person every right you claim for yourself.
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