Present Yourself
It seems as though every time I venture out to do some shopping for someone else, I easily see something I would like. I guess that is supposed to make up for all the times I shopped for something specifically for myself that was not available or not in my size. There may be shopping karma at play. My rule for the holidays is not to purchase anything for myself until I have everyone else completed. My self-imposed constraint works well usually because I like to follow my own rules. It helps that my family is very easy to buy for and they all have their own niche. Shopping for the younger ones could actually go on until the day that presents are exchanged because that look of delight when a kid opens any present cannot be duplicated.
A Gift by any other Name
I think it’s time to give myself some new gifts. You are free to browse alongside me and find something that fits you too. First, I want to be more flexible. Not just physically but mentally too. I think some bobbing and weaving would increase my ability to roll with the punches both figuratively and literally. Maybe I need to rethink my evening ritual to make sure that I meditate prior to opening the book I am reading. Quieting my mind might help me comprehend what I am actually reading. Second, I need to pause more often. This is tricky because it isn’t just a moment of rest. It is a moment to reset. It is a moment to be fully, completely, absolutely involved in whatever I am doing or seeing as if it were the last thing I would ever get to do. Giving this gift some gravity intensifies my attachment to it.
All for Me?
Thinking like a scientist more often would be a great gift. Just imaging myself in this role provides a new level of thinking and seriousness to my life. I like science and the lab coats are so official looking. I bet if I took the time to follow some protocols and consider varying hypotheses, I might get some new ways to examine what is going on in my life from outside my own tender skin. And art is something I definitely need to create and enjoy more often. I have not yet been especially artsy in my life. My limiting thought is that I don’t have the genes or patience. I cannot prove that thought either way. There is no shortage of ways to enjoy art and museums, murals and great design are literally everywhere just waiting for someone to take a look at them. I can also set up a dedicated space to find out if holding a brush and painting a leaf would give me a big grin.
Shop for Yourself
I bet there are many gifts that people don’t associate with you. But they don’t know that gutsy person deep down inside of you. Only you can surprise yourself with this type of gift. Life may be full of ideas but you may also be gazing right past the ones that are new to you just from habit. Challenging yourself includes trying on new aspects to see if they fit. No one is good at something as soon as they start. Maybe this would be a good way to see if you can stick something out long enough to know if it gives you pleasure. Or maybe you can think of something new that can open up a shared activity to explore. Do yourself a favor; get yourself something nice.
Can you be a newbie and see what happens? Are there gifts you can share with those around you that would enhance everyone’s experience? Is it okay to get yourself a remarkable present?
