“Mayonnaise”
I used to be a member of a gourmet dinner club who got together most months to share a theme meal. During the winter holiday season, everyone would bring a gift and place it under the tree of the host. After dinner. we would draw a number and person number 1 would select a gift. The next person could either take the gift from the first person or select another gift. If the person “stole” a gift, then that person would select a gift from under the tree. Thereafter they might be an increasing number of gift thefts before the last package was selected. We had great fun.
The gifts might be very elegantly and creatively wrapped, wrapped in newspaper and kitchen twine or in a generic gift bag. Participants quickly learned that the most desirable gift might be the one whose wrapping was less than elegant or creative.
This was, of course, a metaphor for the gifts of life. The most precious gifts are often not expensive or nicely wrapped. Often the best gifts do not arrive on a holiday and do not celebrate a particular occasion.
Last night I attended a 12-step meeting. I do this on the average of twice a week to support many I know at the meetings and to remind myself what it takes for all of us to stay spiritually centered; to keep returning to a spiritual center. One of the men who I will call Don had been there last week for the first time. I was happy to see him. He shared with me that he is spending a lot of time with his two-year-old daughter. He said, “Today she said mayonnaise.” His eye twinkled and his smile was broad. One could see the direct connection to his heart. I remarked, “What a wonderful gift of recovery to “hear” her share her new word.” I also got the gift of “hearing” him share his delight and love. Now I pass that along to the reader.
Whether one is intentional about what I will call spiritual growth because of a struggle with addiction, some other life changing issue, the influence of a child, a Don, or for some other reason, the world is gifted by one’s intention.
As we journey it is not one’s bank account, degrees, size of one’s house, price of one’s toys or any other externals which determine what one wraps up for the gift exchange. It is, I think, showing up for the mayonnaise word experiences.
Thanks, Don.
Thanks to Don’s daughter.
Thanks to the 12-step program.
Thanks to all the spiritual teachers who have gifted me.
Written April 19, 2019
I used to be a member of a gourmet dinner club who got together most months to share a theme meal. During the winter holiday season, everyone would bring a gift and place it under the tree of the host. After dinner. we would draw a number and person number 1 would select a gift. The next person could either take the gift from the first person or select another gift. If the person “stole” a gift, then that person would select a gift from under the tree. Thereafter they might be an increasing number of gift thefts before the last package was selected. We had great fun.
The gifts might be very elegantly and creatively wrapped, wrapped in newspaper and kitchen twine or in a generic gift bag. Participants quickly learned that the most desirable gift might be the one whose wrapping was less than elegant or creative.
This was, of course, a metaphor for the gifts of life. The most precious gifts are often not expensive or nicely wrapped. Often the best gifts do not arrive on a holiday and do not celebrate a particular occasion.
Last night I attended a 12-step meeting. I do this on the average of twice a week to support many I know at the meetings and to remind myself what it takes for all of us to stay spiritually centered; to keep returning to a spiritual center. One of the men who I will call Don had been there last week for the first time. I was happy to see him. He shared with me that he is spending a lot of time with his two-year-old daughter. He said, “Today she said mayonnaise.” His eye twinkled and his smile was broad. One could see the direct connection to his heart. I remarked, “What a wonderful gift of recovery to “hear” her share her new word.” I also got the gift of “hearing” him share his delight and love. Now I pass that along to the reader.
Whether one is intentional about what I will call spiritual growth because of a struggle with addiction, some other life changing issue, the influence of a child, a Don, or for some other reason, the world is gifted by one’s intention.
As we journey it is not one’s bank account, degrees, size of one’s house, price of one’s toys or any other externals which determine what one wraps up for the gift exchange. It is, I think, showing up for the mayonnaise word experiences.
Thanks, Don.
Thanks to Don’s daughter.
Thanks to the 12-step program.
Thanks to all the spiritual teachers who have gifted me.
Written April 19, 2019
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