On of the more enjoyable books I've read over the last couple of years was one entitled, "The Ultimate Gift".   It is a fictional account of a very wealthy man and the method he used, posthumously through his attorney, to entrust his estate to his great nephew.  The "ultimate gift" passed on to his nephew were lessons in how to relate with others that would enable him to manage the inherited estate with wisdom and compassion.

This list of gifts, that are free for giving anytime to anyone, reminded me of the "Ultimate Gift" and I wanted to share them with you.  As Christians, we can make a huge difference in our families, in our workplace, in our community and even in the world simply by giving away these gifts every day. 

• The Gift of Listening  -  But, you must really listen.  No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response.  Just listening.
• The Gift of Affection  -  Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds.  Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
• The Gift of Laughter  -  Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories.  your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you!"
• The Gift of a Written Note  -  It can be a simple "Thanks for your help" note or a full sonnet.  A brief, hand-written note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
• The Gift of a Compliment  -  A simple and sincere, "You look great in green," "you did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
• The Gift of a Favor  -  Every day, go out of your way to do something kind for someone.
• The Gift of Solitude  -  There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone.  Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
• The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition  -  The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, "Hello" or "Thank You" with a smile.