What is a simple small act of giving at Christmas that doesn’t cost much can leave memories that can last a lifetime for a loved one.

I remember many years ago, when I was a 10-year-old boy, an aunt of mine who was a devout Christian and celebrating Christmas gave me a Christmas present. It was a large book that I was able to read, about the story of a pirate on the high seas. She gave me tremendous joy, a little child at the time. It would not have cost her more than $10, but her act that day gave me tremendous joy that lasted to this day, a simple act of giving that touched my heart and continues to be treasured. Even though this aunt now lives in another foreign country, thousands of miles away, and there has been no communication between us for over twenty years, there is this unbreakable bond of love that somewhere in this world, there is someone whom It cared. many, many years ago, and who I would like to want to seek out and visit if there is an opportunity. In fact, time and distance have not diminished the memories of the beautiful act of giving of hers that day.

I used to wonder why it is said that it is more blissful to give than to receive. I always felt that receiving something from someone else and keeping it in my pockets was more painful than giving it away.

But then, when I think back on this little piece of history and personal experience, and remember the tremendous joy in my heart when I received that storybook as a gift, I could remember how my aunt’s face also lit up, glowed, and seemed to be almost like the Wonderful fairy who takes care of everyone on earth, and I’m sure she felt blessed and happy.

In fact, it is when we give of ourselves and give to others, like our loved ones and those in need, that we can be blessed in return. A gift is a gift… because we give without expecting anything in return, but the laws of nature and of this universe dictate that when we give out of love, this love translates into an energy that cannot be explained, and that touches lives, change perceptions and make the world a better place to live.

So this holiday season, pause and think about how we can sow love and give gifts and gifts of love to others. Our gifts may not be expensive, but they can still touch a life when we give our hearts away from ourselves and when we give with good will and love.

In fact, it is more blessed to give than to receive.