“To perceive Christmas through its wrapping becomes more difficult with every year. “ ~E.B. White, From: The Second Tree from the Corner, 1954
And so New Years Eve is upon us.
This time last week we all observed the packages beneath our Xmas trees and were entranced and delighted with the promise of what lay within... or more honestly were just bloody delighted that packages had our very own names upon them.
Think back to before the disappointment of shower gel, chocolate and unsuitable yet seasonal accessories and focus on the packaging... it all seemed to promise so much yeah?
And that is the rub. With gifts so often the wrapping seems to promise so much...yet contents seem to deliver so little.
This is a quandary that seems to get worse and worse for me year on year.
It seems more often than not I am entranced by what can be viewed on the outside, that I anticipate just about anything my heart desires on the inside... just to discover on opening the gift... that it is no more suitable for me than a 24 year old man-child with a penchant for older women!
Yep shocking analogy but leads me nicely onto my wish for the New Year and a rather pertinent observation about packaging.
Packaging is not exclusive to gifts under the tree. Each and everyone of us get the opportunity to choose our exterior packaging. Like a present beneath the tree, we get to present to the world an exterior that may not have too much to do with what lies beneath .
We think the exterior can give clues. Just like expensive wrapping makes us think a worthy gift may be in our xmas box.... but how often does that turn out to be shower gel or some such cheap sundry item. There is little to be learnt from what lies on the outside other than the value of the exterior I am afraid!
I think the lesson we should carry forth into 2012 should be a sober one.
We should all try to remember that if we really want to get to what counts, what will sustain, entertain and enrich...we are just going to have to discount what first catches our eye and go a little deeper.
It’s only by discarding what ever is wrapped around the outside, be it totally luxe or shockingly crap, and see what it contains that we will ever get to what the gift addressed to us actually is.
Be prepared to be disappointed most times but also save a space in your emotions to be truly amazed. Sometimes what lies beneath can be unexpected and with that can be totally bloody awesome.
All gifts should be made welcome. Most of life is not a gift, so when you get something given to you embrace it. But be wary till you know what it actually is.
I'm not saying that the exterior is never a clue... of course it is. But sometimes even if it is... to hell with the packaging! Keep a little part of yourself ready to be amazed and put in awe by what you just didn't expect to find beneath the outward signs. Embrace the unexpected... don't turn your back and miss something great just because it didn't look promising... equally don't be dazzled by something that looks (at surface level) to be full of promise.
Here’s to the gifts that 2012 will bestow on us all... and the joy that is found with what lies beneath the wrapping.
(Here's also to hoping its something a little more suitable than a 24 year old man child LOL)!
Happy New Year all! - see you on the other side!
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