Moments D688: Gifts Shared

Today was an incredible day.  It was a day poised to be a celebration love.  My younger cousin married the man of her dreams.  What a celebration it was with the perfect Jamaican weather.

But, today wasn't all about young love.  It was about family.  It was about friends.  It was about appreciating life; reflecting on the past and dreaming of the future.

And while I wasn't ready for today's moment, the gift shared with me today was the most beautiful gift I've ever received.  And with the sharing of this gift, a feel a new tradition was born as well!

EQ shared a unique birthday tradition with my family tonight.  He was introduced to it while travelling in Ecuador years ago.  The premise is this:  Instead of sharing physical gifts with the one celebrating a birthday loved one shared stories of what gifts (physical or otherwise) the birthday person has given them that either touched them deeply or inspired them on some level.

And just like that, after dinner, EQ orchestrated a discussion of gifts shared by the birthday girl to each family member at the table.  What an incredible journey that discussion brought!    From the adventure of a lifetime, to ancient stories featuring a Christmas ornament, to lighting up a room and teaching compassion.   What a journey indeed.  It was a tear-inspiring moment, so much so that my dear Big Sis couldn't participate for she was too choked up to do so.  Beautiful.  Simply beautiful.

It was, by far, the most memorable, touching birthday present I've ever received.

I believe this is a new tradition that shall be instituted in my world.  Yes.  That seems fitting to who I am and how I see the world.

A present for the moment today, and a present for moments of celebration to come.  How's that for digging deeper?

Beautiful!

Moments celebrating family, love, and life.

Moments relishing gifts shared...and shared again.

Moments D483: Hard Earned Thank Yous

Today was a pretty "plain Jane" kinda day.  That's okay, they can't all be amazing.  Having "plain Jane" days allows for those amazing days to be all that more amazing.

Anyhooooo.....

Today I share in Heini's moment.  It really is the most inspiring moment of my day.  Not only does it warm my heart, it renews my faith in the corporate world.  (After my class this past summer on power, technology and change, I've seen a whole new side to the corporate world and one that is not so shiny!)

Heini has been working a lot of overtime as her office is short handed.  She's gone above and beyond for her employer, nearing the point of exhaustion and being only immersed in work for a few weeks.  That's a tough gig to keep running.  It's isolating, it's depressing and it's exhausting.  She and I have talked often of being better at maintaining a better work-life balance.   And yet, she persevered through the tough times and did it all with a smile.

Well, today that love and energy was reflected back to her.  All her hard work was recognized and celebrated.  Her employer is going to send her away to the Caribbean for her birthday.  Yes.  You read that correctly.  She'll be heading out on an airplane, away from the hub-bub, to rest and relax upon the white sands of the Caribbean as a reward.

Wow.  Amazing right?  What an incredible thank you gift.

Moments enjoying the high from one of your best friend's moments.

Moments of renewed faith.

Moments D422: A gift

Day two of our trade show was not nearly as busy as day one, but on many levels, it was more successful.

Today, one of our key presenters of the show really went above and beyond. Yesterday he and one of my favourite co-workers had an in depth conversation about POV cameras and how they are changing the industry. I think each man found himself (surprisingly?) impressed by the other. It was quite interesting to have heard the story from each perspective later in the day. What I find more interesting is what that conversation inspired today.

It reminded me that sometimes all it takes to really rock someone’s world is a small gift. That moment passed today between these two gentlemen. As a third party, again, hearing the story from both perspectives, I found myself enjoying in the delight of both parties. It was a small token of respect and appreciation from one to another, and a full reciprocation of that respect and appreciation. How could that not make my soul smile?

Moments watching two amazing gentlemen discuss business and life and smiling at the outcome.

Moments being reminded that the little things, the little gifts of life, matter.