Gifts That Money Can't Buy

I just finished an interview with a Greek-Australian Magazine, in Australia, and I am so thrilled about it. It was published in the August Issue....If you are interested in reading it, please go to http://www.alfamag.com.au/ ...You see, to me that is one of those gifts that money can't buy. A month ago, I wasn't even aware that there was such a magazine, but another Greek author who read my book, contacted the magazine in my behalf and it resulted in an interview (my first one in a magazine). I enjoyed doing it.


Here are some other things that money can't buy:


The gift of listening. Really listen to others-no interrupting, daydreaming, looking busy, shuffeling papers on your desk, or planning your response. I used to have a boss who while we were talking, would pick up the phone, do her paperwork etc...It drove me nuts. How important do you feel when people do that to you? We are all busy, but we can also find the time to pay attention to whoever is talking to us.


The gift of affection. Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. The most touching things I saw not to long ago was an elderly couple who had been married for 50 years, and they were still holding hands.


The gift of laughter. Share articles, cartoons and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you". Who doesn't love to have a good belly laugh ? It is good for the soul. I have a friend who always make me laugh, just by the way she says things, with a good sense of humor, she makes me laugh out loud just reading something she wrote to me. Of course, my husband and I laugh a lot too.


The gift of a written note. Even if it's a simple "Thanks for your help" note, it may be remembered for a lifetime. It only takes a few minutes to write a little note, but it can speak volumes. If you read something that makes you think of somebody, or you think it would be useful to them, send it to them.When I get something in the mail like that, I feel that someone took the time to think of me, I try to do the same. How many people really are thinking about us? Not too many. Everyone is busy. So, when they do, it is special.


The gift of a compliment. A simple, sincere, "You look great in that color," can make some one's day. Don't be phony. Be truthful, find something to compliment them on. "You have a great smile" (if they do!). "You have a great attitude". Sometimes we'll say that to a check-out cashier or a salesperson helping us, and that brings a huge smile to their face.


The gift of favor. Every day, go out of your way to do something kind for someone else. It doesn't need to be big. Offer your seat to an elderly person, if you baked a cake or you have a fruit tree, give some to your neighbors. I love getting goodies from my neighbors and friends.
I witnessed a kind gesture by a young woman just the other day at the store: We were standing in a long line for the cashier. An elderly man in front of me was holding a beautiful porcelain male giraffe ..... this young woman came over to him and asked him if he knew that there was a matching part to what he was buying, a female giraffe, sitting down. He said yes, but he only was interested in this one, or something to that effect--I had seen them both also, so I knew what she was talking about. He paid for it and walked away. Before it was my turn she came over to me, she was holding the female giraffe and asked me if she could cut in line in front of me and pay for it. She said: he really should have them both. How thoughtful of her to do that-she probably figured he could not afford them both. So, that was, I thought, a gift of favor and an act of kindness. So I let her go before me and told her how nice of her to do that and we exchanged 'God Bless yous..., and have a pleasant day etc..etc..That made an impression to me. I should learn to do that sometime.


The gift of solitude. Be sensitive to other's time, don't waste their time and if they look like they want to be left alone, by all means leave them alone and give them space. Our days are crowded with so much that we need to be alone and silent sometimes. We are bombarded with noise where ever we go, music at the restaurants, stores, the Mall, the Internet, the TV, games in our computers and everything else in between.


and last but not least...................


The gift of a cheerful disposition. Project a positive attitude. No one likes to talk to a grouch or someone who is always complaining about something. We had a friend who recently passed away and everytime I called to see how she was doing, she would tell me about all her aches and pains and all the medications she took and on and on and on..Well, after a while I stopped calling. When you go on like that, youpush people away. We are all dealing with problems of our own, just keep yours to yourself.