Today I was happily painting this when someone walked in and commented how lucky I am to have this gift. After the lady had left, I stopped for a cup of tea to think about her remark.
A gift is usually something given freely, with no payment required. If someone gives you one you don't have to use it- you could just put it on the top shelf of your wardrobe and forget about it. You could put it on your mantelpiece and admire it -- far too good to use . Or you might use it every day and think of the giver each time you use it! A gift can be hard to refuse ... If you try to say no the giver may just hide it behind a cushion or in your letterbox! Usually the recipient has no control over what the gift might be ( except for kids and Father Christmas).
Personally, I consider the biggest gift I've received is to be alive - after an encounter with the big C I really shouldn't be here- so I really value what surrounds me each day. If I can somehow pass this wonder on to others then I guess the gift keeps moving. And this "gift" is only useful if I use it - it would be wasted if I just sat back and admired my paintings instead of getting on with more! So , to whoever gave me this gift ( probably my mum, who was a talented landscape painter) - thanks , I hope that I can continue to pass it on......
PS. This is a lovely old boat which was sailing at the Classic Boatshow at Rotoiti this year - no clue what sort of sailing boat it is- any ideas?
PPS. It's just dawned on me what looking a gift horse on the mouth probably means! A gift needs to be accepted in the spirit in which it's been given , whether you like it or not....
A gift is usually something given freely, with no payment required. If someone gives you one you don't have to use it- you could just put it on the top shelf of your wardrobe and forget about it. You could put it on your mantelpiece and admire it -- far too good to use . Or you might use it every day and think of the giver each time you use it! A gift can be hard to refuse ... If you try to say no the giver may just hide it behind a cushion or in your letterbox! Usually the recipient has no control over what the gift might be ( except for kids and Father Christmas).
Personally, I consider the biggest gift I've received is to be alive - after an encounter with the big C I really shouldn't be here- so I really value what surrounds me each day. If I can somehow pass this wonder on to others then I guess the gift keeps moving. And this "gift" is only useful if I use it - it would be wasted if I just sat back and admired my paintings instead of getting on with more! So , to whoever gave me this gift ( probably my mum, who was a talented landscape painter) - thanks , I hope that I can continue to pass it on......
PS. This is a lovely old boat which was sailing at the Classic Boatshow at Rotoiti this year - no clue what sort of sailing boat it is- any ideas?
PPS. It's just dawned on me what looking a gift horse on the mouth probably means! A gift needs to be accepted in the spirit in which it's been given , whether you like it or not....
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