Thanking of You
Do you recall the most meaningful gift the temporarily down-heartened George Bailey received in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life?”
Was it a designer jacket that perfectly complemented his sparkling eyes?
Was it the new luxury car he’d been admiring all year long?
Could George Bailey’s most valued gift possibly have been showcased within 30 seconds of commercial air time today? Possibly. Maybe.
That lasting, most profound gift of a lifetime bestowed upon a suicidal Mr. George Bailey of Bedford Falls back on Christmas Eve, 1946 was the gift of discovering the profound, lasting impact he’d had on the lives of others during his lifetime.
George Bailey’s selfless and understated contributions to the members of his family and his community had far-reaching ripple effects. Purely by virtue of his good nature and integrity he’d unwittingly helped beautifully shape the lives of generations–lives that could have been squashed if left solely to the influence of, say, the selfish slumlord Mr. Potter.
George Bailey lives on in the spirits of real people we encounter every day. Perhaps a handful are also feeling down-heartened this season–who among us really knows? What we do know is that those people who’ve touched our lives in lasting, positive ways deserve to know it. They deserve–and maybe even need–to discover when, how and to whom they’ve made a difference and why it still matters today.
Not so sure the concept really holds any weight? Count how many times this Christmas classic airs this month, 65 years later than the date in which this impactful drama was set. Watch it yourself and examine your own response with honesty.
During this season of giving consider posting your story/ies of gratitude (message/s of thanks) at www.ThankingOfYou.com, in written or video form, to recognize, affirm and honor the gifts of those who’ve made a difference in your life. Detail the direct effects of their gifts to you and how you’ve opened those gifts again and anew for all they were worth at different stages throughout your life.
Recall the contributions of a family member, old (or new) friend, mentor, teacher, charitable organization, spiritual leader, and/or even a stranger. Reach out with the gifts of a lifetime–the gifts of self-discovery that only you can give–for those people on your gift gratitude list this season.
Go ahead. You have my permission and my blessing. Re-gift.
You’re amazing; now go be yourself,
Nora
Nora Firestone is a freelance news reporter in Hampton Roads, Virginia. ThankingOfYou.com is the free Web-based forum for posting and receiving stories of gratitude (messages of thanks) for the people who’ve made a difference in our lives. Who have you been meaning to thank? Who on Earth has been Thanking of You? Gratitude affirms life. Express yours at ThankingOfYou.com
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