Wise Words from Williams: Great Christmas gifts that cost nothing | Culture | Berkeley Independent

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Wise Words from Williams: Great Christmas gifts that cost nothing

Published Tuesday, December 15, 2009 9:34 AM

By Valentine Williams
Berkeley Independent

I have heard numerous people complaining about not knowing what to get for people in their lives. I have heard others giving notice to friends and family that they should not expect much this year because they have to scale back on their giving.

Not having money is not a reason not to give this Christmas, because there are some things money can’t buy. I am not suggesting that you don’t spend money on loved ones but that if you have nothing to give because of financial challenges, you can still give non-monetary gifts.

As a matter of fact whether you have money or not I am asking you to give the following gifts this Christmas to all the people you come in contact with. It won’t cost you a penny, just a little effort, and it will enrich the lives of many people.

Beginning today, give the gift of patience. There is a definite shortage this holiday.

During the holidays everyone seems to be in a desperate hurry to do something or get somewhere. Be patient when other cut before in traffic or in the stores. Be patient when people are rude or you have to wait extra time in long lines for service. The sales people, the cashiers and others who have to serve you will really appreciate it.

I stopped by to pick up an item one Saturday at an establishment where rudeness should not have been present. I learned that the sales person that was protecting my purchase was rudely assailed by a customer to the point of tears. Try not to be a part of the problem during the holidays, be a part of the solution.

Next, give the gift of courtesy. It helps a lot when people are greeted with a pleasant face and a good morning instead of a scowl and irritation. Consider that the next person might be having a worse day than yours even if they seem relatively pleasant.

Give the gift of a smile. A smile is like the sun coming out on a cloudy day. A smile can lift your spirit the way coffee does for some people in the morning. A smile is that drug with no after effects, good for the body and mind, helps those who give it as much as those who receive it, enriches the giver as well as the receiver and just makes everyone feel good.

Give the gift of forgiveness also. Forget the things people did to you five years ago that you are holding on to still. Forget what others said about you that you didn’t like. Forget the negatives they only poison your system and leave you irritated and in a state of unease.

There you are four gifts you can give this Christmas and make the world a better place no matter how bad the economy might be. The best part is that these gifts last and last all year through, and we can never get too much.

The Rev. Valentine Williams is the Pastor of Transforming Life Center Church in Pineville, a motivational speaker, seminar/workshop leader, personal development coach, adjunct instructor and the author of Youth Empowered to Succeed. He is also the president of Williams Speaking and Training Services, a people development organization that conducts professional and personal development training and staff development workshops. For questions, comments or speaking engagements contact him at:valmyval@yahoo.com

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