The Gift

Each year during my childhood, I would nestle under the tree on Christmas Eve, anxiously awaiting my parents' signal for me to open one gift prior to Christmas day.  Under the tree were neatly-wrapped gifts in vibrant and beautiful wrapping paper. The wrapping paper concealed the box, which in turn concealed the gift. While the wrapping paper may have looked beautiful, it held no real value by itself. It was not until I removed the wrapping paper and opened the box that the gift was revealed. 

During this holiday season - as many of us prepare to exchange gifts - we often  resemble the wrapping paper. We live in a society where our value is determined by outward materialism.  We are judged by our homes, cars, clothing, jewelry and other possessions that have nothing to do with who we are or our value to the planet. Like the gifts which will be in abundance during the holiday, our value and worth will not be revealed until we focus on the inside. On the inside are gifts called love, compassion, selflessness, passion, purpose, and servant leadership.

When we focus on the gifts on the inside, our value increases and inspires the masses.  Don’t settle for wrapping paper status, where you and your possessions look good, but lack genuine value.  Focus on the gift inside the wrapping paper and discover a life of purpose and fulfillment.