5 Gifts to Inspire Others, Pt. 1

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This may not be the post you think it is.

There are a ton of blog posts now on what to get for a __________ (golfer, writer, mother, the person who has everything, etc.). But while those are all great and in good fun, I think it’s important to take this time to focus on something deeper.

Don’t you?

There are gifts that may not be shiny and new, but can have lasting value on one’s soul and can have a ripple effect on the lives of others.

With that being said, I thought it would behoove me to create a post for you unlike the rest of the crowd, that reminds us about the importance of what this season really represents-a time of gratitude, miracle, hope and giving.

A Christmas List to Inspire

1. Time.

I’m not talking about Gucci and Fossil. I’m talking about that precious, irreplaceable gift that can change someone’s life.

As a freelance writer, I know my time = money. If I’m spending it browsing stores online, I’m doing a disservice to my business. That’s time that I cannot invoice or exchange for an indirect path to money like marketing.

It’s like that, but maybe a million times more important to consider the precious time you have on this earth and who you want to spend it with.

Take one day in your life and then get a stop watch and time how much of your day is spent on the computer, TV, working vs. how much time you are spending with your loved ones. The number may surprise you.

Think about it this way. As a child, the one gift I wanted more than anything, wasn’t a new Barbie, a new outfit or a book, it was time spent with my mother.

2. Gratitude.

I’m guilty of not regifting this gift. Are you?

There are moments in my day when I think about my husband, for example. I think about how much he does for me and how much I appreciate him. Then time passes, I see dishes in the sink, and the gratitude? Like our leftovers, it goes down the drain.

If you want to give someone a gift that will last forever, thank them, thank yourself. Write down every moment, even seemingly insignificant ones, and you will be giving a gift of gratitude to yourself. Write it down in a card or tell someone you know and you will be doing both you and your loved ones a favor.

To be continued… Stay tuned for part 2 with gifts 3-5 here tomorrow.