Article ~
"Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us."
~ Unknown
Is It Too Good To Be True?
by Barb
Langlois
When someone wants to give you a gift (money, trip, etc) do you ever think “what do they want from me? It sounds too good to be true.” Now I’m not talking about the telephone solicitors who have you confirm your name, address and visa number to win a cruise, I’m talking about honest gifts.
The other day I was in our local shopping mall, shopping with my 13 year old son. We were in a sporting goods store, looking for shoes. I was not in a shopping mood, in fact I was thinking about all the work I had to get done, wishing he would hurry up so we could go home. As I was leaning against a clothing display rack, a woman about 45 years old, wearing a dress, and carrying a clipboard approached me. I immediately prepped my defence strategies. Wouldn’t you?
She looked me in the eye and said “I have a gift for you.”
I replied: “I’m not interested, thanks,” thinking ‘yeah right, what's the catch?’ You’re thinking the same thing, right?
Lady: “You don’t have to do anything. This is a $100 gift card for you to use. It’s a thank-you for shopping locally. You don’t have to buy anything to get it.”
Son: Wide-eyed, “Take it mom, take it.”
Barb: “Right (sarcastically), no-body gets $100 for nothing. I’m not interested.” Would you be showing interest?
Lady: “You don’t have to be interested. Just take
the card. It’s a gift from the mall administrators. They’re giving $100 away every day until the end of the year. All you have to do (ah hah, here’s the catch) is give me your name so the mall administrators know I didn’t give the gift card to my sister or keep it for myself.”
Barb: Embarrassed for being defensive, “You mean you’re giving me $100 for just being here?’
Lady: “Yes”
Barb: “Well, uh, thank you.”
What a lesson I learned. Sometimes I’m not as open to things as I like to think I am. How open are you to unexpected gifts? Sometimes rather than being grateful for the gift being offered to me (whether it’s money, a comment or a helping hand), I question what the person wants from me. I now make a very conscious daily choice to be grateful for all that I have and all that is coming to me. How do you respond to gifts (such as comments or assistance) that you are offered? Are they really too good to be true?
Consider this time of year as a reminder to be open and accepting for all that you have and all that you receive. The more gratitude you express, the more abundance flows to you.
Step Out of the Ordinary!
Barb Langlois RN BSN MSN
Speaker and Seminar Leader
(1) 604.819.1888
www.BarbLanglois.com
e-Mail me at: barb@barblanglois.com
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