I think that now more than ever we live in a society that highly values material possessions and fosters expensive tastes. People think that to make others happy, they need to buy them pricy presents or put a lot of thought into an elaborate gift.
The truth is, there are plenty of gifts that you can give another person every single day that are completely free, easy, and guaranteed to make anyone happy. Even better, these gifts are unending, universal, and beneficial to both the giver and the receiver. Without leaving your living room or spending a dime, you can give these gifts to friends, strangers, and loved ones alike:
1. Gratitude
I firmly believe that one of the most meaningful things you can give someone is your sincere gratitude. Even if it was something small, someone went out of their way to do something for your benefit or think of you, and that person deserves the recognition or validation that you can give. A kind “thank you” is meaningful and adds to the relationship, and the positive reinforcement will make it so the other person will be more apt to do thoughtful things for others in the future. It is a win-win.
2. Humor
They say that laughter is the best medicine and even if no one needs healing, it’s still a great thing to give anyone to improve a day even more. Whether it be light-hearted joking or a comment designed for big laughs, everyone appreciates and admires humor. So give a smile and get one back; it's the perfect reciprocation.
3. Apologies
Another one of the best things you can do for someone is to really show that you are sorry, or that you own up to your mistakes. Often times the apology is not even needed, but even when it isn't, to say it shows strong character and a willingness to either fix a problem or move through it. Other people appreciate your humility, and especially when feelings were hurt, a genuine apology can heal many problems.
4. Compassion
Attention to another person’s problems and an engagement in their life is one of the kindest things you can do for somebody. It’s easy to be made to feel worthless, but when someone pays your concerns their attention, understands, and sympathizes, that can take all the pain away. Compassion is a little harder to give because it requires a more sustained effort in figuring out a problem, but the end result of giving it is completely worth it. It can help you to better understand people in general, and improve your relationship with one in particular because of your patient listening and complete attention that is so hard to find in others.
These may be the easiest gifts to give, but they are often also the most overlooked. They don’t come in little bows and packaging- they are inside every one of us and in infinite quantity. You can give them every minute of every day, and no one will ever get tired of them. Most importantly, it just takes one person willing to give these ultimate gifts, and the whole world can receive.
