December 10, 2024
Gift Giving
This is a traditional season of gift giving and receiving. When we were young, the joy was oriented towards what we received as gifts. We would often ask our friends, “What did you get?” Comparisons were made about who really “won” when it came to gift getting. Did you get this year’s hottest toy, or just the knockoff version?
As we matured, our perspectives changed. The joy shifted to giving, and I am sure you are all caught up in that right now. Of course, some of you were done with procuring your gifts weeks or even months ago. Others are just about done. Others are starting to buy gifts, and some are, perhaps anxiously, thinking about when to start buying gifts.
Extension professionals and volunteers are in a unique situation. We give gifts 365 days a year. We give knowledge, resources and assistance that empowers people to change their lives, livelihoods and communities for the better.
We do this on a daily basis. We get to help our colleagues as they make differences in the lives of their clientele by lending a helping hand here and there and make the effort easier. We even do it whenever we greet our learners and colleagues with a welcoming and heartfelt wish of ‘good morning,’ or ‘good afternoon.’
As you take time to enjoy your seasonal gift giving, please take the time to appreciate and find joy in all of the gifts you bestowed to your team members and the people and communities we serve.