Are you enjoying your festive season? The season of goodwill to all (wo)men?

I am. And for one pertinent reason in particular......to give!

 

Did you know that the secret to living is giving?

Well it is, and here's why;

 

Christmas and the holiday spirit that is part of the festive season, provides us with many opportunities to share our love and our time with others. Some needy, some grateful, some wanting to give back, and all simply wanting that magical of all feelings, LOVE.

 

The gifts of time and celebration enable us to share our love around. There's plenty of it, so it's not like anyone is going to be drained, we simply open our hearts to give and - yes - receive love, which comes in a variety of different forms.

 

Most important before I go on, is that we be able to RECEIVE the love that is offered to us, as well as being able to GIVE it. There must exist receivers, for the givers to bestow upon. It's logical and imperative to our society that we do both, so a balance can be achieved! I know you know this, it's simply a loving reminder.

 

With regard to the different forms of love we give and receive, I am sure you know of someone - if it isn't exactly you - who has been on the receiving end of a hand-knitted jumper or scarf that isn't quite a trendy garment - rather a thoughtful and loving gesture. How was that gift received? With a smile of thanks? Anything less would of course be an insult, as love was surely created from the heart within the time it took to knit the item.

 

All gifts, whether small or large, tangible or otherwise, are heart-felt. We must accept these displays of affection with gratitude and in return, give our own gift of love in the knowledge that we are creating a loving and harmonious community or family. It is what we genuinely desire most! I challenge you to ask yourself how true this is for you and your ideals.

 

The gifts of time and celebration that are especially entwined at this time of year are ours to do with as we please, and those of us who lead busy lives throughout the rest of the year get a purposeful reason to slow down and experience joy and peace with our friends and families. Not that we need any excuses of course, however we do have one if need be!

 

Let's also remember that some people do not experience joy and peace at this time of year, and others are unaware that it's even Christmas! As you are reading this from a computer connected to the internet, my guess is that you may well be one of the fortunate ones bestowed with some form of wealth or luck. I hope you are aware of and grateful for this ability to be worldly-wise! Again, I am.

 

I have always loved Christmas - for other reasons too. As one of life's eternal children, I enjoy receiving presents that provide me with a challenge, like a fun-packed game I can play alone or with others. I always get at least one, as everyone knows what I enjoy most and so they package up their love for me in brightly coloured paper for me to open with glee and giggles, just so they can look on and witness how much joy they have given me. I am as happy as can be, with every present I am lucky enough to receive....just one big kid sitting on the floor enjoying herself, surrounded by love. I know I am lucky too!

 

I take Christmas seriously, as I know it means more than simply giving and receiving presents. For some it has religious meaning. For me, it stores sentimental memories of special people that are no longer with me. With this thought I am aware that there are others who have also lost, and some that are alone and bereft. I feel very strongly for those that are not able to enjoy the festivities as I do.

 

I know of a great many people who contribute their their time at Christmas to the needy and this is indeed a loving gesture. I believe it brings the true spirit of Christmas to the fore, creating very strong feelings of love. When you see the gratitude on someone's face, someone who expected nothing and seemingly got everything, someone who thought they had won a prize but didn't enter a competition, someone whose surprise and shock created a silence of staggering proportions, and someone whose look says it all, then you have both bestowed and received the spirit of Christmas.....the greatest gift of all......the secret to living...... and a present to be proud of!

 

As it is now the eve of a new year, I wish you 365 fantastic presents, 1 every 24 hours, with all my love and all my gratitude. If you choose to accept these presents, what will you do with them? If you have been at all affected by my outpourings of love, I ask you to simply love someone who might not love you back, parcel up a gift and send it to someone anonymously, create space in your heart for love to grow and always love your self whatever you choose to do.

 

Remember, the secret to living is giving, and as yesterday is history and tomorrow a mystery, today therefore is a gift and that's why we call it the Present!....Use it wisely and lovingly.

 

Love to you and your family at this exciting time of year when you have a new year to plan new goals with a new mindset and a new presence.

 

Happy 2009.

 

My love always,

 

Andrea Nicole Smart