December 2025 Thoughts Archive

As we venture into the holiday season, it is easy to get swept up into the pressure of giving gifts (I’m talking gifts to adults). Giving and receiving a thoughtful gift can be a beautiful thing, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. But for myself, the most valuable gifts that I receive have much more to do with time spent with someone I care about, than adding to my pile of possessions. Personally , I’d prefer friends save their money on random objects and instead plan an outing together. I have plenty of things. I don’t need more things… to dust… to find places to keep them… People are far more important than objects. I don’t give many gifts. I take people to dinner. Or breakfast. Or lunch. Or they take me. Perhaps we go dutch. Time with my friends is an incredible gift. Time is the important thing. Not stuff. Don’t buy into all the advertisers’ smooth talk. They are prioritizing sales, not your wallet or your friend’s small apartment with limited space.

And if you do give a gift, make it count. Not in price point, but in the care you put into choosing something that the other person will enjoy. Thoughtfulness outweighs expensive every time if that person is worthy of your friendship. If that person is focused on the dollars involved, they aren’t worthy of a gift or your time. Cultivate friends who don’t require expensive stuff to prove your worth.

If you do go shopping, support local businesses when you can. Support artisans if you can. It can make a big difference in their lives. Making the world a better place, starts with me and how I move through the world. Kindness is contagious.

Self-serving personal note: If you are interested in my books and you are someone who knows me, let me know. I’ve many hardbound copies (and some paperback copies) of all of my books and can get them to you without all the fuss of credit cards etc.