Life's Greatest Gifts

As the Christmas season approaches, all of us have been thinking about gifts. Gifts that we will buy, gifts that we will make (hopefully), and what we would like to receive. I’m sure that if you’ve given Christmas much thought, you’ve also recalled Christmas’ in the past; traditions, family, friends, and the gifts that you received. Christmas is much more than what you get, but what the gift of giving means. The cliché “It’s the thought that counts” runs much deeper than we first perceive it. Some people put a lot of thought and preparation into the gifts that they give. By definition, a gift is something that is acquired without compensation. A gift is free, it is a kind gesture. Somebody cared enough about you to bless you with something, without compensation.

What is a gift that you have been given that keeps on giving? Is there a special gift that meant the world to you? This “gift” does not have to be something tangible. In my layout titled, “Ms. Parks” my daughter describes what her teacher has done for her. Brianna describes that Ms. Parks has taught her how to read, helped her understand what she was learning, and let’s her enjoy recess. Brianna’s teacher has given my daughter much more than the gift of reading, she has given my daughter the opportunity to travel to worlds unknown, to swim in the ocean with the fish, all because my daughter can now sit, read, and imagine. This gift of illumination will last the rest of my daughter’s life. Why not dedicate a layout to give tribute to the person who has blessed you with a special gift, or highlight the gift itself.

Each person we come in contact with in our lives gives us gifts. These gifts may be something small, like the gift of a smile on a bad day, or they may be larger, as in my layout “Ms. Parks.” Even the small people in our lives give us important gifts that are worthy of recording. In the layout, “Priorities” by Amy Stultz, she journals on how her young daughter has given her the gift of “priorities.” She records how her focus in life has changed since her daughter was born, and how important and valuable this priority shift is to her.

This month instead of doing your typical “Christmas Day” layouts, I challenge you to celebrate what Christmas is really about; love for others and the gift of giving. Create a layout to honor the most special gift you have ever received, and the person who gave it to you. When you are finished, upload the layout into the gallery with “Journaling Challenge” in the title and inspire the entire Scrapjazz community to take a closer look at all the wonderful gifts in their lives.

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