Dear GFWC Federated Sisters,
It is a wondrous time of year! I am especially appreciative of my family, friends, and my GFWC sisters during this holiday season. When the holidays come around, most of us will join the masses in shopping for gifts, wrapping them, and giving them away with a generous heart.
In deciding on the perfect gift for someone, we are in a mindset of what we are going to do and we do not hold back or struggle in the process. We simply give the presents we have acquired with a generous heart full of love for the receiver. It this sense it would be nice to also give of the inner gifts we have been given – not questioning if they will be received well or not. It is much easier to give a material possession at times than the inner ones we were given.
In truth, our inner gifts multiple and return two fold when we give them away. Imagine a beautifully crafted and wrapped present that has been purchased so carefully, wrapped so wonderfully, and then it remains in the home of the giver, never getting to the person who was meant to receive it. It is the same with our inner gifts. If we hold back, we lose as well as those receiving. The more we give of our inner gifts, we more we have to offer.
For example, if someone (not your state president) has a talent for singing and we hold back, singing less and having less experience, the world loses out. On the other hand, if we offer the gift of our voice to the world at each opportunity presented, our talent would develop and become greater, allowing us to have more to give.
The presentation of our gifts in material form means much to us at times with the beautiful bows and wrapping paper, a joyous bag filled with tissue. Our own presentation of our inner gift also honors what lies within us. Introduce your inner talent and gift with confidence and panache. Like a performer who chooses carefully what to wear or how to set the stage, we provide the environment that complements and enhances what we offer to the world with our inner gifts. Far from being superficial, a beautiful presentation is as much a part of the energy of gift giving as the gift itself. All of these things – the gift, the presentation, the give away – make up a joyful experience of bestowing our offerings upon the world.
As you give of yourself this holiday season, think of the gifts you have to offer. Be proud of the servant attitude most of us have in our federation. Wear it proudly and gift it humbly to others. It will brighten the spirits of you and those around you this holiday season.
In these almost two years, I hope I have bestowed upon our membership some of my inner gifts…listening, observing, being innovative are some of my biggest gifts and I hope those have helped our federation and built a spirit of encouragement and belonging.
I wish you the best holiday season. May it be bright and merry! May you take time for yourself and enjoy each moment with family and friends. May the stress of the holiday be overcome with the shared moments with others!
In Federated Friendship,
Tina Daniel
GFWC GA State President 2018-2020
Tina's Pearls of Wisdom for the day:
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.”– Burton Hills
