Giving the Gift of Time!

First a quote: “Fill your life with experiences, not things! Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.” – Unknown

Good morning, happy Monday. and happy holidays!

OK, so this is embarrassing to admit; each holiday season, I am only responsible for acquiring a small handful of gifts, and yet, shopping and gift giving remain a challenge for me.

Why you ask? In part because I have the good fortune to be married to a woman whose love language includes gift giving… and she is good at it! Almost every year, Becky has completed most of her shopping by early November; she typically has everything wrapped and ready to ship by Thanksgiving. (Packing & shipping is one of my responsibilities… while not a love language, it is something I can do with confidence.)

And even though I only have a few gifts to purchase (or make), I’m rarely done with my shopping until days, (sometime hours) before the deadline. Yes, there have been many years when I’ve stood in lengthy checkout lines, with other procrastinators, late on Christmas Eve. Judging by the length of those lines, I’m confident I am not the only person who suffers from this affliction.

So, from one procrastinator to another (assuming you share those tendencies) I have an idea to share for your consideration. And by the way, today’s message may be appropriate for gift-givers of all kinds, not just procrastinators.

“The most important things in life… are not things!” - Unknown

Plain and simple, here is the idea: think experiences and/or gifts of time, rather than material things. Instead of items that can be wrapped with paper and held in the hands of your recipient, think memories that can be wrapped with love and held in their hearts.

• Has your work team been under extreme pressure to perform while short-handed? What if you gave them an unexpected afternoon off? Took them to a museum, musical, or how about a shopping mall and you gave them each $50 to spend on themselves? Maybe bring in a magician or comedian for an afternoon of fun and/or laughs.

• My brother-in-law took our family to a “learn to paint” event where we all painted our own work of art while sharing a little wine and a lot of laughs. (And let me tell you, my work of art was a piece of work and that had nothing to do with the wine. 😊)

• Find someone, either within your organization, or in your community, and offer to serve as their mentor. Give that person the gift of your wisdom, expertise, and experience. Remember, you can likely learn from them as well if you’re looking for lessons to learn.

• A friend from southern California recently took his wife to Disneyland for her “60-something” birthday celebration… they are both still young at heart. They had a blast.

“A good friend knows all your stories, a best friend helped you create them.” – Unknown

• Are there special young people in your life? Nieces? Nephews? Grandchildren? What about teaching them to bake cookies or pies? Help them start a new hobby perhaps?

• Have you been a “workaholic” these past two years, or longer? Maybe your partner, spouse, son, or daughter would enjoy going on a date… just the two of you. (Remember, three is a crowd… leave the phone at home or in the car!)

• Is there a special elderly person in your life? When was the last time you took them for a drive, to get their hair done, or just sat quietly and held their hand?

• Have you ever gone to an assisted living facility or memory care unit and offered to read stories to the residents? This might be a good idea for your work team and/or your family.

For so many, the holiday season is not a joyous time. The lonely are even more lonely, the sick feel even sicker, the hungry feel even more empty, and not just in their stomachs. For the remainder of this holiday season, regardless of your faith, personal beliefs, secular or non-secular, let us all seek to be more kind. As John Lennon penned, it is easy if we try.

There are so many opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

For some people, receiving the gift of another person’s time may be the most precious gift of all. Time is precious, it is also limited and cannot be replaced. Who would appreciate the gift of your time this holiday season?

Maybe it is time to repurpose some of the time we typically spend on shopping for gifts to wrap and reinvest that time in the people we lead and/or love.

While my family has celebrated Christmas every year for my entire life, I am aware of the need for understanding, thoughtfulness, and respect for those who have different traditions, beliefs, and non-beliefs.

In addition to Christmas and Hanukkah, there are at least 14 holidays celebrated during this time of year including: Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Las Posadas, Diwali, Boxing Day, and the Chinese New Year to name just a few.

My wish is that all of us take a few minutes to reflect over the last year with gratitude and grace and that we look forward with hope, love, and compassion.

We all have an opportunity to be sources of happiness, joy, and goodness.

Thank you for reading my missives this past year. It has been my honor and privilege to write them. I’m looking forward to 2023 with hope, optimism, and happiness in my heart.

You will hear from me again on January 9th. Until then, I will be taking time off to celebrate Christmas and the holidays with my family.

How will you live, love, or lead, differently, or better, this week?

Sincerely,

Bryan Yager

“Expanding Your Capacity for Success”

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Bonus Quotes:

• “Never get tired of doing the little things for your loved ones. Those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.” – Unknown

• “The greatest gifts are not wrapped in paper – but in love.” – Unknown

• “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” – Unknown

• “The manner of giving shows the character of the giver, more than the gift itself.” – Johann Kaspar Lavater

• “Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have.” – Jim Rohn

• “I don’t think you ever stop giving. I really don’t. I think it’s an on-going process. And it’s not just about being able to write a check. It’s being able to touch somebody’s life.” – Oprah Winfrey

• “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” – Kahlil Gibran

• “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” – Maya Angelou

• “Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.” – Barbara Bush

• “Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

• “If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.” – Arabic Proverb