What do I own and what owns me?  I was struck by that phrase while I was sitting in Sunday services over the weekend. My mind wandered off into that nether region of doubt as I realized that the list of things that own me is probably pretty weighty.

Gift or Burden?

It is particularly poignant at this time of the year when so many of us are desperately whirling around to cover off our holiday shopping lists and ensure that we’ve found the perfect item for everyone we hold dear and maybe even some who are not so dear. And as a result, I’m certain that the burden of ownership becomes even heavier.

It’s a sense of ownership that relates to a number of things:  did I spend enough money, enough time and enough effort on each purchase made? Did I give enough attention to the recipient?  Did I make the purchase to alleviate any guilt that I might have been harboring?

And so what really happens is that the shopping for everything ends up owning me!  I need to release that yoke of obligation and take ownership in a whole different way.

So, I’ve decided to look at the holiday shopping exercise as a gift exchange.  Every single purchase is being made because the person I’m giving it to is a gift in my life. Now I own each gift that I’ve bought but I’m exchanging it for the gift of enrichment that each recipient has extended to me.

The gift for my spouse’s employer is an exchange of gratitude for giving us a lifestyle that supports our goals and dreams. The gift for each of our children is in recognition of the love that fills our hearts everyday as we watch them grow. The unwrapped gift for the needy child is a reminder of the blessing of compassion that we need in our lives.

The gift for a teacher acknowledges the gift of knowledge that they impart so unselfishly. The gift for my best friend is an awareness of the gift of loyalty that is ever present in my life. The gift for my husband is a gift of love that is steadfast and constant and given by God to both of us.

One of the greatest awakenings I’ve had in the past few months, centers around the gift of understanding I’ve received from one of Klemmer & Associate’s long standing personal mastery facilitators.  I work with her on a daily basis and enjoy the privilege of her laughter, her encouragement but most of all of her nuggets of wisdom that give all of us something to think about.

So my gift for her this year will be in recognition of how she has opened my heart in starting to understand just a little more about what I own, and what owns me!  I own a lot of gifts!

Judith Scott
K&A Student