A Different Kind of Gift

It's that time of year.  We tend to think more about giving right now than at any other time of the year.  

Did you know that in the United States more than one third of annual donations (33.6%) happen in the "season of giving" between Thanksgiving and Christmas? 

I recently heard about a very different kind of gift someone was offering this year, and it costs...nothing, yet it is something we all want.  It's very valuable, and much needed.  AND it helps both the giver and the recipient.  Any guesses?

This person told me that their gift to those around them this Christmas-time is to 

not judge people.  

I started thinking about that.  What if each of us chose to accept everyone they encountered for who and where they are this season?  What would our world look like if we did that?  

What if we each judged one third less between Thanksgiving and Christmas?  What would that do?  

That could include not just those that are easy to judge because they are different than you, like the homeless, those struggling with obvious addictions, the super rich, those that look way more beautiful than you, or have way more than you do, but 

                                                 ESPECIALLY

those that might feel your judgment, such as your partner, your children and their choices, your siblings, your parents, other relatives you may or may not love spending time with, your friends, neighbors, and yes, even that person in the car that just cut you off in traffic.

Wouldn't it be an amazing gift to extend love and acceptance instead of judgment?  

I know I want to be loved and accepted for who and what I am in all my imperfections.  

I know you want that too.  

Can you imagine how differently you (and they) would feel if you gave that gift this season?  If we all did?