Gifting

The end of the year is my favorite time of the year. It is a time of gathering, a time to be thankful, a time to reflect and renew my mind. I enjoy the holiday season. It is a time to show my gratitude toward people I care about.

Although it is more and more challenging to come up with gift ideas, especially after I got the same people gifts for years, I find it fun to gift. I pay attention to what each person likes or needs. I do my best to buy things within a budget. Sometimes I go back and forth, unable to decide which is a better present. I eventually just pick one. To me, it is more important to remember than to get a fancy gift.

I think gifting is much more rewarding than receiving. The whole process of showing my love and my gratitude starts from remembering that particular person. Sometimes it is for a birthday. Maybe it is for Christmas, new baby, friend’s kid birthday, etc. I do not write birthday reminders on my calendar, because to me, remembering that person’s birthday is also my way of expressing how much I care about that person. I gather clues from our everyday interaction, something they mention, something they need. My friends and family usually do not lack anything. After all, it is the thought that counts, right?

Our family has a few fall and winter babies. More chances to get together, more gifts and gifting. The more the merrier.

Gratitude is a practice of abundance. That we can practice every day, even a simple thank you for something seemingly small. The challenge is to be grateful in an unpleasant situation. Is it possible to be thankful when you are angry, stressed or overwhelmed? Is it possible to be thankful when you feel like there is not enough time, money, or some other things?

I believe we can always find something to be thankful for, no matter how dire the situation is. In my patient practice, I care for patients with different kinds of cancer. I often get into the discussion of why. “Why did I get this cancer?” My answer is usually somewhere along the lines of no one is completely sure. Sometimes certain genetic predisposition, along with environmental factors, play major roles. Thankfully, the cancer is detected early and it is curable.  For patients with advanced cancer, we are also able to find something to be thankful for. Thankful for not suffering in much pain. Thankful for therapy that is slowing the progression of cancer spread. Thankful for supportive family and friends, etc.

I am thankful for my life, for people around me, and for the experiences I’ve had and will have. I will continue to practice gratitude. I am ready to gift little presents, a simple encouragement, and many thank-you’s. Are you ready to be thankful today?