7 Intangible Gifts for The Loved Ones
Things worth gold, which money can’t buy in a relationship
We live in a world where commercialism reigns supreme. The days of exclusively celebrating birthdays and anniversaries are long gone.
Now, for every Valentine's Day, there is :
A Rose Day
A Propose Day
A Chocolate Day
A Teddy Day
A Promise Day
A Hug Day
A Kiss Day
And in a few cases, followed by a broken day for the rest of the month(wink-wink).
Starting to live larger than life can transform an ordinary day into a festival and any moment into a celebration.
Relationships are like saplings. They require proper nourishment of love and emotions, the sunshine of joy and happiness, and a sprinkle of care and affection. We must give adequate time for them to grow while guarding against external threats.
Let’s talk about the 7 precious intangible gifts that can further boost your relationship — be it with your parents, siblings, friends, spouse, or a budding relationship, for that matter.
1. The Gift of Presence
Now, it’s not just about your physical presence!
Being present with someone means entirely focusing on what others are trying to communicate beyond the words, even the non-verbal cues.
It is about showing a genuine involvement with others.
It is about parking other thoughts running through your mind.
It is about cutting off external distractions such as mobile notifications.
It is about lending an active gaze, a listening ear, and holding hands.
2. The Gift of Time
Time is of great essence in our fast-paced lives. While it’s possible to recover lost money, we can never regain the lost time.
We often rush through our daily routines — be it gobbling down breakfast, catching the early train, beating the queue, and working tirelessly to meet deadlines.
Amidst all this haste, if you keep your commitment of time to someone; it is of great value.
It is about relishing the moments in togetherness and not itching for closure.
It is also about being punctual and respecting other’s time.
It is about listening to understand with patience, waiting for your turn to respond, and not cutting off during conversations.
It is about being non-judgmental and empathic to other’s feelings.
3. The Gift of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is essential in any relationship, as we all make mistakes. It allows for healing and growth and fosters a stronger bond between partners. By seeing things through the lens of others, you can take things holistically instead of being overly critical.
It is about letting go of your hostile emotions and allowing space for imperfections.
It is about managing conflicts by avoiding ego and working through the solutions.
It is about preparing for a better future instead of clinging on to a terrible past.
It is about realizing that if you keep holding on to a grudge; you are also harming yourself.
4. The Gift of Gratitude
It’s easy to take things for granted in our lives and overlook the good that surrounds us.
From the comfort of delicious homemade meals prepared by our moms to the financial support provided by our dads or even the intimacy shared with our partners; we often underestimate their value — until they are gone!
But it’s crucial to pause, reflect on these blessings, and show gratitude towards those who make them possible.
It is about being thankful for small favors in life, not discounting as someone’s duty towards you.
It is about being grateful to have someone by your side — through sickness and happiness.
It is about being generous in our appreciation of other’s efforts, big or small.
It is about staying grounded and seeing the bright side of things.
5. The Gift of Surprise
Who doesn’t like an element of surprise?
It’s essential to break out of the monotony of life and bring joy to our dear ones. A simple gesture, like giving roses with a personal note, going on an impromptu trip to a dream destination, or having a date night at a favorite pub, is enough to ignite the spark in our partner’s eyes.
It is about creating anticipation and excitement in life and looking forward to the good times ahead.
It is about expressing tacitly that I think and care about your feelings.
It is about the willingness to travel that extra mile for fetching your partner’s smile.
It is about unleashing our creativity and keeping someone’s interests and likes in mind.
6. The Gift of Inclusion
A partner complements and completes us. Stronger relationships require bonding, not just fulfilling obligations. Involving someone in your life is a way of showing that you value them, besides benefitting mutually out of it.
It is about sharing your thoughts and feelings without any fear of judgment.
It is about building common relationship goals and supporting each other.
It is about putting your guard down and opening your heart out for open communication.
It is about being proactive and letting others know you are always available instead of waiting for them to knock on your door.
7. The Gift of Care
We all have our fair share of hard days where we face physical and emotional challenges that can wear us down. However, the warmth of care and affection bestowed in our companionship empowers us to overcome these obstacles and emerge even stronger.
It is about giving without expectations, for true love is not a trade.
It is about offering support at the time of need, even without being asked for it.
It is about bringing cheer to faces, especially during tough times.
It is about being affectionate and expressing it effusively in our daily lives.
Remember that your efforts today will bring a fruitful harvest in the future. Just stay persistent, passionate, and focused. It’s a worthwhile investment of your time, energy, and resources, driven by love. Remember to appreciate the little things in life that make life worth living.
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