Despite the move, and all of the Christmas/New Years insanity, I still managed to spend some time each and every day reflecting on the gifts that I was receiving. After all 'tis the season of giving, which means that it was extra easy to receive. Before I launch into 'the list' (I will try to be brief, I promise), I just wanted to reflect briefly on the idea of receiving in general. What I have come to realize (through this project and through some other literature that I have been reading), is that the act of receiving gifts from someone (or the Universe) is as important as the act of giving them. This might sound obvious to you, but I had never thought of it that way before. A lot of people are uncomfortable with receiving gifts, my (previous) self included, and will actually reject them. Bear in mind that when I am talking about 'gifts' I am talking in a general sense - sure tangible gifts count, but think about things like compliments, acts of service, or even LOVE. Oddly enough, some of those people who cannot bring themselves to authentically receive gifts of any kind are the same people who are so darn good at giving gifts themselves. You see, receiving involves being vulnerable, in that you are willing to show the giver your soft underbelly -- true gratitude. A lot of people really struggle with this and for a variety of reasons. For me, looking back, I think that part of the problem was a self-worth issue -- I didn't feel worthy/deserving of receiving. Now that I can see the situation a bit more clearly, I can see how hurtful it would be to a giver if I couldn't authentically receive the gift they were giving me (for me, compliments really come to mind, as do acts of service). A gift that isn't authentically received isn't much of a gift at all now is it?
Anyway, it is early in the New Year (it's 2012!) and my brain already hurts from all of the evolving it has been up to, so without further ado, here is my list of gifts from the past 10 days or so:
Day 14: My friend Jill brought her two girls over and helped me pack up and move most of my kitchen. Talk about making an unpleasant experience a fun one. Thank you Jill for this extremely kind and generous act of service!
Day 15: Time with some of my best friends: J and Jody - they had just gotten back from their 3 month honeymoon in Nepal/Thailand and it was the first time that I had seen them. So happy that they are home safe and that they had an amazing time. They also brought me some truly amazing gifts and I am already treasuring them dearly!
Day 16: Christmas Eve. We actually went around the table before dinner on this night and shared what we were grateful for this year. It was amazing and I am grateful for the fact that my family is so in touch with gratitude and the importance of it. I myself was grateful for this new tradition, for the amazing food we had prepared (Indian food - YUM!), for my brother Erik's new-found health/sobriety and for the chance to come together as a family and celebrate being together. It was RAD.
Day 17: Christmas Day. Best gifts of the day? Watching my son see with HUGE eyes that Santa had eaten all of the cookies and milk (I know, Santa is kind of lame, but I love the magic that he creates for kids), watching my parents open a gift that my husband had made: all.by.himself.!!!!!! (So, so COOL!) And last but certainly not least, my mom writes us each a Christmas letter every year and I simply adore them. I mount them on my fridge where I can see them every day for the entire year. She is/ they are amazing!
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| Trent's Masterpiece |
Day 19: This is going to sound ridiculous, but my gift for today was getting up first thing in the morning, realizing that we were out of coffee, running to the store to get it.... and being back in 10 minutes. I cannot tell you how stoked I am about the significant reduction in driving. Again, so, so grateful for our move.
Day 20: Many hands make light work. I'll bet that you were wondering how the heck we managed to move on Boxing Day and who the heck helped us. Well, you see, I have the best parents in the world (I believe that I may have mentioned that before) -- and they were here for the entire day, giving up their holidays to help us move. Today we returned the favor and helped them finish the process of moving out of their house at the farm: cleaning, hauling, packing. More fun for the McHasses (our combined nickname!)... actually, it was fun and I am so grateful that we have had so much help and support. Many hands truly do make light work. I will say it again (if I have to): communal living ROCKS! (By the way, they now live about 1.5 miles North of us -- not next door, but pretty close!)
Day 21: After all that hard work, it was time to celebrate. We had some great friends over tonight: Mark, Megan-Joy and Catherine, and we ate great food, drank wine and played games. It was super fun and just what we needed (and more!) after such a loooong week of moving!
Day 22: More family and friends. Today we spent some time with Trent's mom, sister and her family. It was so great to watch Chephren play with his cousins! Then, in the evening, we had more friends for dinner, Bridget, Richard and their son Brady. Chephren is really starting to get 'friendship' and proceeded to prepare his toys for sharing before Brady arrived and then played really well with him. This is no small feat for a little guy (sharing is hard) and it is awesome to see it happen!
Day 23: New Years Eve. What a peaceful way to bring in the New Year. Our friends J and Jody stayed with us and we had my family for dinner. J, Jody, Trent and I quietly brought in the New Year snuggled on the couch in front of the fire, visiting and watching a movie. It was perfect!
Day 24: New Years Day. I managed to steal a few minutes to myself today to reflect on and be grateful for the past year as well as to set my intentions for the year 2012. Today is probably one of my favorite days of the year. I love the opportunity for reflection and the anticipation of the year to come. 2012 is the year of the Dragon (TRANSFORMATION) - may we all be transformed into better versions of ourselves filled with light and love! And may we all be open and ready to receive each and every day!!!!
Happy 2012!
Marebare xoxo
What a wonderful post... I fear I am one who has a difficult time receiving. When someone says something nice, I always think they just made it up because they feel sorry for me.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, your story of your son's wonder that Santa actually ate the cookies and milk reminded me of the moment in my childhood when I found firm evidence that Santa was not real... well either that or he had transvestite tendencies! You see, the cookies were gone and the milk had been drunk, but there was lipstick left on the glass!