Even though we may not yet be awake we still
express and give gifts. Giving gifts expresses the
self, expresses the Eternal benefaction. Sometimes
it is wrapped only in duty and obligation which is
often a part of giving. And sometimes it expresses
a task completed, a tick on a list, "That's Done!"
And sometimes it expresses intimacy with the Eternal.
Thoughts surrounding the gift seem to effect the gift
giving. That's when we recognize a "thoughtful" gift.
"Thought filled" gifts express the giver. The giver
is revealed in the gift. It has nothing to do with
the investment of money, it has to do with the expression
of the self. And sadly, sometimes gifts only express the
need of the giver.
String-less gifts are not thoughtless. They are thoughts
relinquished as the gift is given. Anonymous gifts
discharge the giver. It's a contemplation to consider
giving "anonymous" gifts. It brings up the self and
we get to see our need for praise, recognition and
gratitude among other things. It helps us see the dislocated,
disturbing side of giving. Relinquishment is medicine
for these put out of place expressions. We tend to get
put of joint when someone does not say, "thank you."
No matter what the gift is the giver is expressed. And the
expression is a gift to the giver when the giver contemplates
one's own thoughts that return to the giver when the gift
is given. There is always a backwash, but we might ignore
it or just grumble about it. Sometimes we reclaim it as our
vanity sometimes gets the better of us.
Gift giving is a practice.
