To the question presented to me:  If you received a surprise package in the mail, what would you like to be in it?

A Surprise Package

Everyone loves a surprise.  Birthdays.  Christmas.  Anniversaries.  Or any other causes for celebration.  Whatever the reason, we eagerly open our boxes with this in mind – to be surprised  –  to be the recipient of the unexpected.  And often times, the bigger the box the better.  After all, big things come in big boxes, don’t they?  Well, not necessarily, but you already know that from your own personal experience, don’t you?  A diamond ring.  A gold necklace or earrings.  A gift card.  I’m sure you can think of a thousand other things that are potentially big gifts, but small in size.

For me personally, the greatest gift that could ever be found in a package is one that comes from the heart.  In other words  –  a gift of love.  As a would be writer, that “love” could be expressed in the form of the written word.  From a love interest:  A simple ‘I Love You.’  ‘You Are My Everything.’  ‘From Now Until Eternity.’  ‘I’ll Be Forever at Your Side.’  ‘There Can Be No Heaven Without You There.’  Or from a child:  ‘I Love You Daddy.’  ‘Daddy, We’ll Make it Through This Together.’  From parents:  ‘We Are Proud of You.’  ‘You Are Our Pride and Joy.’  ‘You’ve Made Us So Proud.’  ‘When We Needed You the Most ~ You Were There.’  And from a sibling:  ‘I’ll Be Here if You Need Me.’  ‘Thanks For Being the Best Brother Ever.’  ‘Thank You for Taking Care of Mom.’  And let’s not forget our many friends:  ‘Your Friendship Means Everything.’  ‘I Can Always Count on You When I’m Feeling Down.’  ‘You Always Have My Back.’  ‘I Feel Safe in Your Presence.’  ‘Thanks for the Shoulder to Lean On.’

And oftentimes, for all of the above situations, all that a “surprise package” needs to contain is a simple ~ ‘Thank You.’  The reality is this:  A “thank you” is a measure of your worth to someone at a particular moment in time.  And “moments in time” are what we are all experiencing at this very moment.  So, to all of you that read this ~ “Thank You” for your contributions you have made to my happiness – both past and present.

54 Things I've Learned Along the Road of Life

54 Things I’ve Learned 

(Along the Road of Life)

I’ve learned…. That true love comes from giving, not receiving.

I’ve learned…. That the only friends you will ever need in your life are the ones who are always there in your time of need.

I’ve learned…. That rewards are earned, not handed out.

I’ve learned…. That the meaning of life is revealed to those who show concern for others.

I’ve learned…. That the sacrifices one endures today will pay rich rewards tomorrow.

I’ve learned…. That the very knowledge of love is no substitute for the actual display of love.

I’ve learned…. That even a few “accepting” friends are worth far more than a thousand friends on any social site.

I’ve learned…. That a heartfelt ‘I Love You’ are the three most important words in any language.

I’ve learned…. That kindness to others is what keeps the heart beating steadily.

I’ve learned….  That for every beautiful memory made, some form of love was behind it.

I’ve learned…. That the fortunes of life received are equal to the toils endured.

I’ve learned…. That there are no right or wrong answers to the meaning of life.

I’ve learned…. That every child should choose their own course in life … not their parent’s wishes.

I’ve learned…. That love is the greatest gift that God had bestowed on mankind.  But that so few ever come to realize it.

I’ve learned…. That learning to love is a lifetime process that only comes to fruition when once we have lost it.  Only then do we yearn for what we have lost.

I’ve learned…. That we must love ourselves first before we can truly love someone else.

I’ve learned…. That negativity is the opposite of love.

I’ve learned…. That saying “thank you” should be more commonplace by all people.

I’ve learned…. That for every child that cries out, a single heart must listen and respond.

I’ve learned…. That for every dollar spent on those in need, two will be returned.

I’ve learned…. That only an open heart will hear the sounds of love.

I’ve learned…. That only love can open the doors of life.

I’ve learned…. That giving is living.

I’ve learned…. That only love can shine through and melt the most hardened of hearts.

I’ve learned…. That all wars are a result of the absence of love.

I’ve learned…. That without love in our hearts, we have nothing.

I’ve learned…. That we are nothing more than an empty shell without someone to love.

I’ve learned…. That for every tear shed, a loved one has been missed or lost forever – though the memories, if good, shall live forever.

I’ve learned…. That for every love lost, a better one awaits around the corner for those that are givers.

I’ve learned…. That parental love is the key for the continuance of love for succeeding generations.

I’ve learned…. That the heart will never reach its capacity to give love.

I’ve learned…. That one cannot show kindness without love in their heart for all humankind.

I’ve learned…. That aging gracefully is more mental than physical.

I’ve learned…. That being alone does not imply loneliness.

I’ve learned…. That time can be both your best friend and your worst enemy – depending on how you use it.

I’ve learned…. That honesty in all matters will nurture not only the mind and body, but the heart and soul as well.

I’ve learned…. That there are far greater rewards and happiness in this life that money can’t buy.

I’ve learned…. That the only proven way to achieve happiness is by making others happy before yourself.

I’ve learned…. That peace can only be achieved through the absence of wealth.

I’ve learned…. That children are the answer to yesterday’s woes.

I’ve learned…. That all crimes and wars are a direct result of greed.

I’ve learned…. That my accomplishments in life are due more to learning from my mistakes than from my successes.

I’ve learned…. That the greatest acts of kindness are those that go unrecognized by others.

I’ve learned…. That if you are going to do something, do it right or don’t do it at all. This I learned from my father.

I’ve learned…. That promises made and kept will hold one in high esteem.

I’ve learned…. That to bring happiness to others, you must first be happy with yourself.

I’ve learned…. That saying “please” will never come back to hurt you.

I’ve learned…. That the better educated I became; the less I realized I knew.

I’ve learned…. That smiles are infectious.

I’ve learned…. That natural bonds of love are not instantly created, but earned over time.

I’ve learned…. That hate results in wasted energy.

I’ve learned…. That forgiving is part of giving.

I’ve learned…. That listening is more important than speaking.

I’ve learned…. That one should not judge a fellow human being by their appearance.

~ Michael R. Jennings