Christmas Presents

The Holiday season is upon us.  Whether for you it is Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Candlemas, Winter Solstice, or something unique to you; it is the time to give and receive gifts.

My questions to you is, “What kind of a gift receiver are you?”

There is a ‘Peanuts Classic’ cartoon by Charles M. Schulz, in which Charlie Brown gave his dog, Snoopy, a lump of sugar he had brought back from a family dinner at a restaurant.  Snoopy was saddened by this gift thinking it meant Charlie would really rather have a pony.

We all know that our emotions are inspired by what we think and what we think is under our control.  What do you think about when you receive a gift?

Do you tend to analyze the present’s cost or the relevance it is to you or your personality?  Or, do you appreciate the time and energy expended by the gift giver in finding a gift for you no matter what?  Do you wonder if it was “re-gifted” and, therefore, not a worthy gift …. or are you excited by a gift that was once personal to the gift giver?  Do you allow yourself to feel frustrated because you spent more money or time on the gift you are giving in comparison to the gift you are receiving?

It is said that Christmas has become all about Commercialism.  Perhaps, it is the gift receiver who sets the stage for this mentality by judging both the gift and the gift giver rather than absorbing the Loving Kindness of the Gift Giver.

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to write to me at harmoniousheartcounseling@gmail.com.  Happy Holidays to you and yours.