Some lists make life better and some worse. I’ve found that grocery lists come in handy, but lists of a person’s transgressions, failings, imperfections, mistakes, etc, do not. I’m blessed to have a wife who knows that the latter type of list can be toxic to relationships. If she kept such a list about me it would be long indeed.

I believe that there is a kind of list that enhances relationships and our attitude toward them: “Gift Lists”. They are lists of the positive attributes and actions of people. I’m not referring to the “small-g” gift lists sometimes kept as reminders of the material things people want for birthdays and other special occasions.

I mean big-G Gift Lists which remind me as to the many great things people bring to my life. Such Gifts are much more likely to be about the time they shared, a kindness they showed, things I enjoy about them, their positive attributes, or a fault or mistake of mine they forgot, forgave or ingored.

The most important Gifts to me almost never involve money or material things. They are far more precious because they are things money CAN’T BUY. Things like loyalty, love, trust, and true intimacy.

When I focus on such Gifts, I can’t help but feel grateful and blessed.

May inner peace and lasting happiness be yours.

Russ