20 Comments
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Olusegun Osifuye's avatar

Hi Deborah,

We are gifts to the world and are recipients of gifts from others.

Simetimes we give our "gifts" to others, not knowing that they are gifts and we receive gifts from folks every day without even knowing.

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

What delightful insights,, Olusegun.

I never thought of how many gifts

we give without knowing.

Nor how many we receive

without knowing.

Nor did I think of the fact

we all are gifts to the world.

Methinks

what all this adds up to is

we are far richer

than we realize!

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Dave Conant - MO's avatar

The gift you and those who have responded are talking about without mentioning it is love. Each of us has an endless bounty that we can share with anyone who is willing to accept it. Given freely, when it comes from a heart and soul that understands and accepts its own value and worthiness, it is the greatest booster anyone can get and resonates through everyone who witnesses the giving. Thanks for your gift Deborah.

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

Dave,

Your tender words

expressing

that LOVE is the gift

make the best

concluding paragraph

to my letter.

I love it

when a builder

brings it home.

You're a joy to give to, Dave.

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Dave Conant - MO's avatar

And it is far more blessed to give than to receive, thanks again Deborah.

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Steven L Whysel's avatar

I give gifts every day by simply smiling at whomever I pass by and if appropriate show a small kindness like asking how they are and really caring about their answer. Kindness is the easiest love to share.

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

Steven,

I can feel your kindness

in your gentle words here.

I can imagine how it feels

to receive your warm loving smile

and to be asked How are you?

and to be listened to

by a person who truly cares.

You are walking in the footprints

of your shepherd

touching others

with the grace you have received

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Stanley Wotring's avatar

To me a gift does not come in a box all wrapped . Instead it is țhe act of giving itself that is most valuable.

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

o my

I always learn from you, Stanley

your insight

gives us a more profound understanding

of What is a gift

thank you for this enlightenment

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Stanley Wotring's avatar

Thank you but give yourself some for always starting some intriguing discussions!

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Fred Basset's avatar

The gift of having your back come what may. It is not given or received lightly, but it only applies to individuals. I'm not sure about the world. I don't know if I am equipped to give to the world. The world takes in a lot of territory. I have always seen the world as a machine that chugs along. It was here before me and will be here after I leave. I don't think it cares one way or the other, it just is.

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

Fred,

Thank you for bringing forward

a gift I had not thought of:

Having the back of another person

come what may.

This is perhaps the ultimate gift

you can give another human being.

It takes total continuous fearless

loyal loving dedicated commitment.

I am deeply moved, Fred,

that THIS is the gift

it gives you the most joy

to give!

Bless you for being

such a man.

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Joanna Fox's avatar

The gift that gives me the most joy to give and receive is a hug! Someone once told me that we need at least five hugs a day, with eight being optimum! I find the best hug to give is for a stranger in need. It makes us both feel so good, and it doesn’t cost anything!

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

Joanne,

Every stranger you hug

is blessed by your loving heart!

I can see you both light up

like stars🌟🌟

Isn't it amazing

the beautiful difference you make

in both your lives

by the simple but generous act

of giving that person a hug!

Even while grieving

you are still giving, Joanne.

You truly are a giver at heart.

You make the world 🌍

a better place.

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Joanna Fox's avatar

How lovely you are Dr. Hall. You make me feel like the person I’d like to be.

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George Neidorf's avatar

That goes back to, "It's better to give than receive." As a musician, I received much more than I gave and I gave everything every time I played. As a massage therapist, when someone felt better or was moved further along toward healing, I received an enormous amount. I felt that my life was worthwhile. Nothing was ever as satisfying as giving.

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

I can just imagine your joy

giving everything in your soul

to your listeners

as you played your music, geo!

Wish I had been there.

Then giving your best massage

to those whose bodies

you worked so hard to heal.

Yes it sure does

make life worthwhile

to truly give.

The giver in you

is alive and well

in the words you offer us here.

Thank you, friend geo!

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Joanna Fox's avatar

That was so beautifully put! Giving of oneself makes you feel so good, and that’s a gift in itself!

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George Neidorf's avatar

You're a good example of that.

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Dr. Deborah Hall's avatar

She sure is

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