The Christmas Parcel

 in Dec 2012: Generosity / Uncategorized by


I was sitting down at dinner just a few weeks ago and letting the family know that I was helping a friend set up an Anglicare opshop in Midland on Saturday – to which one of my 22 year old sons says, ‘can we do an op shop Christmas
again’. I have fostered in my children over their years – a love for op shops!

From another angle, we see some of our TV shows turn gift giving into entertainment – with “12 Days of Giveaways” where audience members go home with flat screen TVs, video game systems, major home appliances and vacation packages. It’s hysteria.

But Christmas is here – and however, you choose to celebrate this time with your family and friends… we all know that Christmas is not really about whether the packages you give and receive hold an op shop treasure or a flat screen tv, or whether a package with a Christmas trimming on it is given at all.

The most important gift or parcel this Christmas is me.
I am the Christmas parcel.

I am the Christmas parcel that enters the family Christmas party, perhaps a little bit frazzled or maybe even nervous.

I am the Christmas parcel that sits at the café table with friends or colleagues for a lunch with the funny paper party-hat.

I am the Christmas parcel who walks the malls, interacts with the check-out person, passes the neighbor on the street.

So if I am the Christmas parcel?

How do I make others feel when I’m at the party?

Do I make people feel;

  • Welcomed?
  • Excited?
  • Understood?
  • Loved?
  • Accepted?
  • Important?
  • Unique

Or
Do I make people feel;

  • Ashamed?
  • Kin women Blog
  • Too different for my liking?
  • Misunderstood?
  • Unimportant?
  • Not wanted?

I am not talking about personality. Not everyone is the so called, ‘life of the party’, bubbly personality, always on the dance floor or telling the joke.

I am talking about each of us bringing who we are, being honest with ourselves and others, but bringing the best of who we are for others – knowing full well, we all have our faults, failures and funny ways. But making others feel good, and particularly good about themselves.

Christmas began with the delivery of a parcel, a man – Jesus Christ.

Today – it’s you and me.

Let’s be generous with our attitudes towards people, even those who have been a bit of a pain over the year, or maybe don’t even particularly like us.

Let us:
Listen well to the words and heart of others
Genuinely encourage
Lend a hand
And Help out – especially in the kitchen!
I am the Christmas parcel.
Merry Christmas everyone
No regrets!
Penny

About Penny

Penny was born in England, raised in New Zealand, lived in America and settled in Perth, Australia. Together with her husband Mark, she is raising a teenage daughter and has twin twenty-something sons. "Coming home at the end of a solid working day to family and friends is my delight" says Penny, Co-author of the book – She’s Not Your Competition. She is a heart-felt communicator who believes in the power of a person’s story. Penny has over 25 years experience as a high level leader and spokesperson in both the private and non-profit sectors with significant public relations experience. She is currently the CEO of South Coastal Women's Health Services, and prior on the Leadership Teams of Rise Network and Riverview supporting people in areas of mental health, domestic and family violence, and children overseas at risk of exploitation. She holds an MBA and MBL, and is a Board Director for the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia. For the past 15 years she has provided pro-bono support as a mentor for leaders and consultant to not for profits. Penny’s personal life endeavour is a determination to "make life better not bitter".