Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only
gift is a portion of thyself. Thou must bleed for me. Therefore the poet
brings his poem; the shepherd, his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a
gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a
handkerchief of her own sewing. This is right and pleasing, for it
restores society in so far to its primary basis, when a man's biography
is conveyed in his gift, and every man's wealth is an index of his
merit. But it is a cold, lifeless business when you go to the shops to
buy me something, which does not represent your life and talent, but a
goldsmith's.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
A reminder to give something of yourself today.
Give your talents. Your time. Your hands. Your full attention. Your compassion. Demand of yourself to give an unselfish gift.
"It is better to give than to receive"
~D&H
No comments:
Post a Comment