Isn’t it true that when it comes to giving gifts, the ones we most love to give are those we know the recipient will be overjoyed to receive?
The point is that when we find the right gift for the right person, we feel as good about giving as they do to receive. Then, the funny thing is, we feel like the one who is gifted by the joy and gratitude shown to us. These positive feelings often last a lot longer than the material gift exchanged.
Another form of gifts we give and receive regularly, year-round, are the Gifts that make us who we are.
I recently revisited a book on my shelf, “Whistle While You Work; Heeding Your Life’s Calling,” by Richard Leider and David Shaprio.
To discover your calling (that which you’ve been created to be/do in life), the authors identified fifty-two actions that translate into gifts—as the core essence— “that gift which is invisible but wants to be unwrapped and given away.” They add, “The lives we live emerge from the words we choose to define our lives.”
I tell you, shopping in that pile of words was like picking out my own presents/presence – pun intended! The following are some examples.
| Realistic | Investigative | Social |
| Building things | Analyzing information | Awakening Spirit |
| Fixing things | Discovering resources | Bringing Joy |
| Growing things | Investigating things | Building relationships |
| Solving Problems | Making connections | Facilitating change |
| Making things work | Translating things | Instructing people |
| Conventional | Enterprising | Artistic |
| Doing the numbers | Bringing out potential | Adding humor |
| Getting things right | Empowering others | Creating things |
| Operating things | Exploring the way | Designing things |
| Organizing things | Making deals | Performing events |
| Processing things | Persuading people | Seeing possibilities |
Ask yourself:
- What gift do I naturally give to others?
Go through the list and pick any that fit your gifts and talents.
- What gift do I most enjoy giving to others?
Go through the list you just created and narrow it down to the top five.
- What gift have I most often given to others?
“Knowing yourself as you do, which one seems to ‘call to you;’ which is the one that throughout your life, you have most consistently given to others?”
These Gifts align with your values. When lived out, they will bring about true fulfillment and help you live to your own best potential. This means that no matter what kind of work you do, or the lifestyle you live, you can choose to find a way to give away your gifts. This may be through a vocation, volunteer opportunity, friendships, work, or even a hobby.
When we do give the Gift of ourselves, it feels as wonderful as when we know we’ve purchased just the right present.
What Gifts will you be giving this Christmas and into 2025?
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