An Extraordinary Gift

Have you ever been in search of light and love in the darkest of moments? Did you find the light, inspiration, and hope that you needed OR did it find you? Often, the message reached you just as it needed to and in timeliness.

In a world of noise, a message is created for you, yes you - wherever you are now; shared with love and light.

Extraordinary - it is an adjective to describe a state of being, beyond the usual, it is of character of worth and remarkable.  In the truest sense moving beyond ourselves in a state of service with character that optimizes a connection to humanity. Humanity which demands our compassion, forgiveness, hope, love, kindness in disproportionate portions such as unconditional - without expectation of return.

Being extraordinary is to take the time to understand what matters most to those around you and live into their perspective without judgement or coercion of our beliefs, without manipulation to ensure you first.  Simply put Extraordinary is taking the ordinary and going the extra mile.

Going the extra mile is taking the time to think of others and hearing them without derisiveness or flack. It is that child who says they do not want to but cannot express why. Yet when you look at them, you will find fear, apprehension, anxiety, unsure of themselves, sometimes self-will that is a proponent of the underneath because survival just kicked in. Getting down to the level of the other person often literally, loving them and letting them see you where they are. It is our greatest gift and that is not just for our children or grandchildren, spouses, partners it is for all humankind.

Gear yourself up and put on the mental vision of what light and love you can give to others in such an ordinary way. Ordinary is not mediocre, it is brilliance on fire because when coupled with extra, we can give marvelous gifts that do not cost you anything but your time, your energy from the soul and heart. It is small ripple effect it has will be felt for a lifetime. Let me share a deeply personal experience recently to illustrate this point. It is not being shared to gloat or ask for your sympathy but merely to invite a vision of effect. 

This year has been a different year than all others with COVID for many of us. I am blessed to still be working, however this as with every year I scrambled to figure out how to create Christmas for my daughter. She firmly with a passion believes in Santa Claus, Father Christmas, and Saint Nick. I do not want to derail her belief because it is so pure hearted. As a single parent home, I have a very modest income and making ends meet takes creativity with shortfalls. I am grateful, for the kindness of strangers with all my heart who without me asking showed up for our family. Through their gestures of love, light and to them ordinary, a child will have an extraordinary Christmas. Her wish list of three things has been fulfilled, leaving a bright-eyed child glowing in her belief. Thank you for the wonderful gift of being present to the ripple of my daughter.

Extraordinary is not as difficult as you may think. To be extraordinary takes a momemt to just decide to take the journey of discovery.  A discovery of self, who you are and those things that intrinctly are you.  For me it is to be kind, compassionate, forgiving, share what you have without reservation and give with a spirit of joy - wholehearted joy.  In that very moment lives are touched forever changed.   Stand tall, live into who you are on the inside, take a risk to give without reciprocation or expectation. I give because I am living from a space of creating, knowing my ripple, my kindness, care, heart, and soul is touching another, making a difference.  A difference as I have often said lasts a life time.

It is about choices.  The choice to follow what you know instinctively.  To know is to feel.  To feel is to truly  hear, and to hear is to hear the sound, rhythm your soul speaks.  In that conversation you will connect on a level that receives and gives with greater impact.

Stop today and listen for the soul queues that lead you into your humanity.  Gifts that may be as small to you but greater to the other. Perhaps - hold open a door, say Thank You or Good Morning with heart in your voice.  Stop today what you are doing now and make that call to someone you know is alone.  Take a basket of goodies with a note to a family you know is struggling.  When the blessing and generosity comes to you as it has to me, give to someone else your  soul connected abundance and you will see how extraordinary looks and feels on you.

A smile broadly seen, a tear of thanks gently moving down a cheek, a long hug in appreciation is the vision of splendor dancing in my heart today and every day because Christmas, giving and Extraordinary are 365 days.