Gifts

It is a time of holiday gifts. Gifts are frequently tokens of esteem, appreciation, homage, competition, attraction, speculation, sympathy, commemoration, conformity or other human feelings/motives. The operative word is token. The motive behind the token is often obscure to both giver and recipient. This is the product of living without mindfulness. Those driven by conformity during the holidays are often motivated by a desire to fit in or to be judged worthy of esteem and respect. Retail advertisers depend on this motivation to manipulate the susceptible buyer. I happen to believe the greatest gift I can give to individuals and society is my practice of daily mindfulness, compassion and responsibility. I cannot wrap this in a box with a pretty ribbon. I simply do this to the best of my ability every day of the year.