Confessions of a Professional Mom
Professional mom seeking clarity, balance and a well deserved glass of wine.
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You can scroll the shelf using ← and → keys
With so many Top Ten lists filling up your inbox, inspiring you with the greatest gifts for the foodie or gardener in your life, it’s easy to get lost in the commercial side of giving (and receiving). A little end of the year reflection has reminded me that some of the greatest gifts of all don’t necessarily come in a box or gift bag and they’re the kind of gifts that give back all year long. Bonus — you can even give them to yourself.
Freedom: of speech, to choose, to love, to learn, to vote, to wear Saturday panties on Monday
Time: 24 glorious hours each day to make a difference, try something new, mend a fence, tear down a wall, create, explore, stop and smell the roses, call your mother
Nature: sunshine, trees, animals, fresh air, a great hiking trail, ten-minute walkabout at lunchtime, a walk around the block that turns into 3 hours to keep from killing your family
Smiling: the instant pick-me-up or lift-you-up (and, it’s portable)
Water: free-flowing from a faucet or dispenser or reclycled plastic bottle…and you don’t have to walk five miles to get it
Learning: reading an inspiring email, writing a blog post, thinking about anothers point of view, listening to new ideas, sharing solutions, expanding your mind, creating new neural pathways
Love: (again, portable and always inside you) a wink, a handshake, a giant bear hug, a pinch on the ass (to someone you know, please), a crucial conversation, a pat on the back, an approving nod, a lending hand or a shoulder to cry on, a tender kiss or a passionate caress
Empathy: walk a mile in someone elses shoes, not only listen but hear and understand
Health: waking up each day, eyes to see, ears to hear, a nose to breathe it all in, hands to shape, legs to move about
Reset button: push it any time, anywhere, as many times as you like to start again, start over, keep your outside voice inside, say you’re sorry, ask for forgiveness
It may sound corny, but when you stop and think about all these amazing gifts, it’s really like Christmas every day of the year! Certainly shifts my gifting mindset.
What’s on your greatest gift list?
Stay sane, my friends.