Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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December 24, 2007

Change the World: See the Light, See the Promise

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 5:56 am

Seeing What’s Inside

Change the World!

Every year at Christmas, my mother had her own tradition. She began buying gifts and wrapping them long before other folks even thought of such things. It was efficient. It was productive. It allowed her to wrap up the gifts in the same careful way that I choose my words every morning.

Gosh, the presents! They were large and small! They were tiny and incredible. They were many, and they were for so many. They sat under a tree that was decorated with such care that I realize now it must be the reason that I spend hours rearranging word that I write until they’re in order.

Under that tree and piled through the large room as proof that my mom had found a reason to return every favor, and every smile she had received. Each gift was wrapped more beautifully than the one before. The bows were crafted and carefully chosen.

The part of the tradition seems only my mother’s was that she waited until Christmas Eve to put names on the presents. Until then, every present only had a tiny number. She said that it was that we wouldn’t shake the gifts with our names and be tempted to open them early. But the result was that those little numbers filled my imagination with wonder.

You see, I didn’t sort the boxes into theirs and mine. I only saw the abundance and the promise of good surprises.

And it made me think about what could be inside the boxes. I could see them shining inside.

The light inside the gift


Imagine if we look at people — the ones we love, the ones we know, the ones we’ve not met — the same way.

Gosh, the abundance and the good surprises inside each of us! See the light? See the promise? Our light shines when we shine on them.

See the gift they are. Be the gift you are. It makes us glow from the inside out.

Thank you for the abundance and surprises you are to me.

I’m a very lucky girl.

Liz's Signature

We can change the world — just like that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

______________
If you’re ready to change the world, send me your thoughts in a guest post. Feel free to take the gorgeous Change the World image up there that Sandy designed back to your blog. Or help yourself to this one.

Change the World!.

Email me about what you’re doing or what we might do. Let’s change the world one bit at a time together. Together it can’t take forever.





Filed under Motivation/Inspiration, Successful Blog | 24 Comments »




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24 Comments to “Change the World: See the Light, See the Promise”

  1. December 24th, 2007 at 8:04 am
    Karin H. said

    Happy Christmas Eve, Liz
    (a tradition unknown to us I’m afraid)

    But abundance is not unknown and I would like to link to the seasonal post my best known giver in and of abundance wrote last week.

    An abundance mentality or what?

    If someone ‘walks the talk’ it sure is him. Shining a gentle light everywhere he goes/is.

    Karin H.

  2. December 24th, 2007 at 8:16 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Karen!
    All you do, all you give, your light is always welcome as is the gifts of our friend the one whom you will introduce me to soon. :)

  3. December 24th, 2007 at 8:21 am
    Karin H. said

    Make that a New Years Resolution ;-) We will all get together somehow, somewhere!

    Karin H.

  4. December 24th, 2007 at 8:36 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    You betcha!

  5. December 24th, 2007 at 9:21 am
    Joanna Young said

    Ah Liz, you’ve given me the answer to the question you asked us last week.

    I would introduce you as the person who can see the light inside.

    Thanks so much for everything you do, and have a wonderful Christmas

    joanna

  6. December 24th, 2007 at 9:59 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Ah, Joanna,
    I would introduce you as the person who sees me.

    Thank you.

  7. December 24th, 2007 at 11:27 am
    Rosa Say said

    Beautiful post Liz. Sometimes we can go to such lengths, theatrics and extravagance to create traditions, yet as your story proves, they actually come to be in the careful habits that endear us to others. I would imagine that your mother crafted much more for you in other ways too, and this is a wonderful tribute you have given her.
    Mele Kalikimaka ~ Rosa

  8. December 24th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
    Zakman said

    You know, I had to read this post three times just to get the idea that a gift is not necessarily what’s wrapped inside a box.

    Hope I read it right!

    Merry Christmas everyone :)

  9. December 24th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Rosa!
    How wonderful to see you on Christmas Eve! Our small tradition was really something special. No one in our extended family will ever forget the year my mom lost the list . . .

    Thank you, Rosa, you give in every word you write. :)

  10. December 24th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Zakman,
    Some of your comments have been among the best gifts I’ve received this year. :)

  11. December 24th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
    Doc said

    Must be the time of year. Finished my post for today then made my daily visits. I’d say what I put up already fits. Merry Christmas, Liz. Doc.

  12. December 24th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Merry Christmas, Doc!
    Thanks for adding light in the world. :)

  13. December 24th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
    Kirk M said

    Merry Christmas Liz! And Happy Holidays to everyone.

  14. December 24th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thank you, Kirk M.
    I look forward to a future with you in it and a sun shining on us all.

  15. December 24th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
    Deb Ng said

    What a beautiful post and a wonderful tradition. One of my favorite things on Christmas Eve was to sit in front of our tree with all it’s presents and marvel at the beauty of it all. Of course, my mom had six kids compared to my one, but I still like to take time and reflect in front of the tree. I’m so blessed.

    Happy holidays, Liz. One of the highlights of my year was spending time with you. I’m proud to call you friend.

    - Deb

  16. December 24th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
    FV Gazi said

    Nice thought…but one has to practice it year round, not just during the yuletide season

  17. December 24th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
    Scorpia said

    Hey Liz, just dropped in to wish you a Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brought you everything you wanted. And if he didn’t, someone else should have ;)

  18. December 25th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Deb!
    The color, the lights, the memories and the people who made them. I can understand exactly why you use the words marvel at the beauty of it all.

    Me too, Deb, me too.

  19. December 25th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi FV,
    Exactly.

    See the light and see the good things . . . all year. Don’t wait for others to do it first.

    Yep, I agree. :)

  20. December 25th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Scorpia!
    I hope Santa was exceptionally generous with you this year . . . all in the realm of wishes come true!

  21. December 25th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
    John Richardson said

    Liz,

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    Merry Christmas,

    John

  22. December 25th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi John!
    I just read your story. If I inspired that, I’m feeling extra specially good!! :)

    Thank you for the kind words and the visit. :)

  23. January 2nd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
    Robert @ reason4smile said

    First article I read from your blog, I knew it from John’s Success Begins Today.

    Great article, it’s kind of expecting and looking forward to the good of others! Reminded of a quote “Strangers are friends we have yet to met”

    Looking forward to the gift glowing inside your blog!

    Happy New Year Liz!
    Robert

  24. January 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
    Robert @ reason4smile said

    Liz, my previous comment hasn’t got the right link to my blog, please help me to fix and delete this comment.
    Thanks a bunch!
    Robert

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