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The greatest gift that we have is our lives. A gift does not have meaning unless it is used. With our lives, we can make a difference and also make a mark in the world.

Giving the gift of love to others and helping them have a positive outlook is a responsibility of being alive. Sometimes our lives may not be so positive. We all have problems and dark moments. But these only help to teach us an important life lesson. Along the way we will learn to appreciate happiness more when we have experienced sadness. We will appreciate comfort when we have experienced hardships. Our problems help us to evolve to the next level of life.

This Christmas, we gave gifts to family and friends. Much thought may go into the process from choosing the right gift, paying for it, wrapping it, and giving it out of love. But simply being there for someone in need and truly giving of yourself is the greatest gift of all. When someone is sad, it is much easier to bear the grief if there is someone to hug them and listen to their sorrows. Their lives may be in such turmoil that only love will give them strength to cope with the weighted burden.

Other times your loved one may be filled with such happiness and joy that they will almost burst to share the good news. Your being there to congratulate them on a promotion, on having a baby, or some other important event in their lives. Being there to share the news makes it more worthwhile.

Our lives should not become just routine and mundane. Trust and just let go to see what happens. Try new things which will spice up life but also teach us new lessons. I have the problem of trying to overthink things whether it is a bad or good situation. The truth is that we can't predict the future. That is hard to accept, but just try to let go. Life is the greatest gift that we can share with others. Don't waste a moment on this great journey.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Tomlinson

Lincolnton, N.C.

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