Where to Now?

It always seemed to me that the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day was a continuous holiday. Thanksgiving Day started with giving thanks for whatever seemed to be important at the time . Then, the next day kicked off a continuous process of buying things we assume would make ourselves and others happy--at least temporarily.

Quite often, the assumption is made that the most expensive the gift, the more meaningful. I'd like to shift our thinking from expensive to valuable. And ask ourselves, what is the most valuable gift we could give someone? I would suggest the answer is the "gift of love."

I know this idea is not original or even new; or to some sappy. But it is enduring. Perhaps, more enduring than any thing we could possibly give. To receive unconditional love from another person is a life-altering experience. When I speak of unconditional love, I mean the acceptance of another person, with all their imperfections and shortcomings. When I facilitate our Katrina Support Group, I receive the gift of triumph over tragedy, joy over pain, and adaptability over abdication.

It is in these moments I realize for every thing I have given to aid those adapting to Utah, I have been given the most valuable gift possible from them. The experience of unconditional love. You might reflect on the people in your life and ask, "From whom have I received or given unconditional love?" You are lucky if you count three or more!

Please forward this blog or the site address to anyone you think would benefit from these messages. Resources can be found in the bookstore on www.innovint.com.