My creativity advent calendar 2024: Day 25.

The day to exchange gifts …

Have you ever felt that someone has seen you for who you really are, who understands what you mean, what you intend, and how you want to make others feel?

For almost ten years I’ve been bringing together a group of people who take great delight in supporting each other as they navigate the ups and downs of running a small, usually solo operated business. The weekly Zoom meetings are often extraordinary in their depth of perception and trust.

I became aware that they often tell me how much they appreciate each other but for fear of causing embarrassment or a sense of obligation, didn’t want to tell each other, so I offered to play a sort of Secret Santa role, collecting and passing on messages of appreciation that they want to send to each other anonymously.

The depth of perception takes my breath away.

Here are just a few examples with names removed to spare their blushes! (most of these people have never met face to face …)

“(Name) just talks sense. She’s gloriously Real Non-Bullshit Intelligence personified. The kind of person you’d trust to get you out of a burning building. The kind of person you trust, full stop.”

“(Name) is like a giant hug in human form.”

“(Name) thank you for the jokes. Always. And the generosity. You’re the kind of person who will always fill an awkward silence and I think we’re all grateful for your charm and effervescence and all the waters that run beneath that.”

“(Name) There’s something quite magical about you. You’re kind, thoughtful, creative. Are you an elf? I mean that in absolutely the best elf sense. (You know, Lord of the Rings Higher Beings kind of way).”

“(Name) You know that expression about lighting up a room? I think you warm a room. You have an incredibly comforting reassuring presence that makes the world feel a little more manageable.”

“(Name) You’ve totally got people’s backs. Others may not grasp it at first and then suddenly there’s a moment when you understand that you really see people and you’re doing your damnedest to protect, bolster and support them — and I fully get how incredibly kind and decent you are. Also you’re exactly the kind of person we need come the Zombie Apocalypse (or January 6th, as we’re now referring to it).”

I think the biggest gift we can give anyone is to show them that we really see and appreciate them for who they are and take the time to get creative with how we express that, so this feels like a good way to end this series.

Happy Christmas!