The Gift of Acknowledgement

Every year we celebrate special days, events and milestones from birthdays and anniversaries to national and cultural holidays. For many of these celebrations, it is customary to offer a gift to the celebrated. This custom varies from person to person, culture to culture. I've been given my fair share of valued gifts. This year, I've come to truly appreciate the gift of acknowledgement.

In another life, decades past, the gift of acknowledgement reached me through cards and letters in the mail. I have saved a few from childhood years. Now that I think about it, there are a rare few that come through Canada Post these days, replaced now mainly by Facebook posts, emails and, on occasion, a voicemail message.

It is a voicemail message that I received on my birthday this year that had me really cherish the gift of acknowledgement. The age-old method of communication through words of appreciation for a shared friendship, kinship and connection. The connection that, through the distance of this global world, reaches out and warms my heart and soul.

The beauty in the gift of acknowledgement is that it need not serve an occasion nor come with a price. It serves to simply deepen relationships, to foster the camaraderie that keeps us connected in the modern world.

As technology gives us more and more ways to be in contact, through the distance and across, at times, a cultural divide, the gift of acknowledgement remains true to mind, heart and spirit.

It is in crafting the wise use of words that matters the most. The moment words are released, they have a power that can pierce or warm the heart. Take the time to reach out to those who are special, gift them with words of acknowledgement, appreciation and love.

In a rapidly changing world, gifts of the material kind become obsolete the moment they are acquired. The gift of a well-crafted acknowledgement, goes a long long way and lasts to eternity.