Friendship - Being a Gift

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.“
~ C. S. Lewis

There’s a lot of gift giving going on at this time of year. The holidays are also when we often touch base with friends and family with whom we’ve fallen out of touch, renewing those ties. As friendship is one of the most powerful gifts we can offer to another being, my questions to you this month are, “to whom are you a gift?” “Are you the gift you want to be to the people you care about?” “How can you be more of a gift, more of the time, to more people?” “Who are the gifts in your life? Have you thanked them lately?”

"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us.“
~ Epicurus (341-270 BC)

I am so incredibly grateful for the friends in my life – they/you are the fabric that weaves the tapestry I enjoy today, the photo album I treasure from the past, and my companions, succor, and excitement about the future. The call I get from a buddy in Boston, the hug I get from someone who knows I need it, the book someone gives me just because it made them think of me, the wonderful gift of being able to be and share myself completely with someone who is interested and cares enough to listen and share themselves with me; the new friend who calls and says, “Let’s do something – I want to get to know you better” - these gifts are priceless in my life. They refresh my confidence that we’re all connected and how important it is to find and appreciate those connections.

"Things which matter most should never be at the mercy of things which matter least.“
~ Johann van Goethe

What is it that people appreciate most about you? Are you willing to commit to sharing that gift with at least five people this week? Or how about giving that most precious of presents, that of time, to one special person in your life this week? And that other really important gift, that of being completely present with whomever you’re with? With the pressure of hectic schedules, too often our interactions with friends or associates are somewhat absent-minded, as our brain is thinking about something in the past or the future, and we cheat ourselves and the person(s) we’re with of the moment. I know, I know, you’ve heard it before….but….truly…...Be Here Now.

""The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.“
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

We all enjoy receiving tangible gifts from time to time – flowers, a CD, a book, or whatever. But are there other gifts that only you can give? Some of my favorites are to tape some special music that I know fits the person, to write a poem, to give a coaching session, to make someone laugh (via wit or goofiness, it doesn’t matter to me), or to play a song on my trumpet. While tangible gifts can certainly demonstrate caring, intangible gifts can communicate a different dimension and depth of caring. And the good news is, you can incorporate this kind of giving into your daily lifestyle. If you’re interested in growing this part of yourself, please talk to me about it at your next session.

"A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud.“
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

In the meantime, bask in the extra joy and kindness of spirit that people allow themselves to extend during the holiday season. Resolve to expand that spirit in your own life and those of the people around you – give an intangible gift, take care of an incompletion that’s been gnawing at you, do something nice for a stranger…..and as Emerson said, “Keep your friendships in good repair.” Thank you for being a gift in my life! Revel in the Holidays!

A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR YOU TO GIVE

If coaching has been a gift in your life, how about giving it to someone else? Please give this newsletter to a friend or family member, and I’ll give them a FREE half-hour session that they can use any way they’d like – to explore what coaching is about, to get rid of some tolerations, or to work on some goals for the New Year. Just think – it’s a present that opens you instead of you opening it!

© Copyright Magellan Enterprises, all rights reserved

Reach Me: Telephone: (970) 259-4847; Fax: (970) 259-4874
E-mail: ginger@magellangj.com
Web: www.magellangj.com

Please recommend this E-Zine to anyone you know that is interested in getting more out of their career or their life (It's a good way to stay in touch with clients, too.)

PRIVACY STATEMENT: We will not distribute your address to anyone. Period.