THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFTS

While walking home with my husband from the supermarket this afternoon, a conversation with an interesting client during the morning coaching session popped into my mind. I can still clearly remember the last question at the end of the consultation session with him, which was “Until now, being an experienced Life Coach, have you realised what the most precious and expensive gift that each person always desires is?”

We then agreed to leave that topic for our next meeting. However, now, while sitting in the car, the gorgeous and gentle sunset has brought me the urge to immediately share my feelings and thoughts with my precious readers.

You know, the client who asked that question is a mature man with a successful career and a close-knit family, just like how many people would imagine his life to be. A person who owns so many things has certainly deeply experienced this life long enough from many different angles. Therefore, in your opinion, what would be the most precious gift he would ever need?

His question reminded me of a small survey about Life Coach that I created a while ago. In that survey, there was also a question similar to the one he asked me: “If you could only have one wish, what would you want to be given the most?”

That survey was not targeted to any specific audience but to people from all ages and occupations, and thus the answers were very diverse. As for children, they would only expect to receive gifts in the presence of physical objects. As for young ambitious people who are on their way of starting their businesses, they would highly hope to achieve their KPI targets, to be able to afford luxurious bags, a car, or an apartment of their own. As for middle-aged people, and perhaps some unlucky people who are suffering from incurable diseases, they would only wish for their gift of good health just to be able to live a longer and more peaceful life. Nonetheless, after all, I realised that the wishes and gifts that people crave the most are still assurance and peace in life.
You would somehow expect the same too, right?

Material desires such as a bank account with loads of cash, an enormous and beautiful house, a few designer bags, plenty luxurious clothes, etc. are just there to satisfy your inner insecurities temporarily, and to sugarcoat the reality that you are not desperately lacking anything, that you are not poor nor are you too old-fashioned compared to the society out there.

Then what is next?

Because of those desires and properties, we have spent a lot, and perhaps too much, of our effort fighting, competing, and comparing ourselves with others. Afterwards, at the end of the day, when the night comes and you are lying on your lovely bed, you are left with this only final wish – finally being at peace and having a nice long sleep, am I right?

Peacefully thinking of our loved ones – and feel happy to know that they are still healthy.
Peacefully thinking about work – and feel happy to know that you are still having good outcomes.
Peacefully thinking about all the relationships – and feel happy to know that there are still people who care for me.
Peacefully thinking about life – and feel happy to know that we are still able to enjoy tasty meals, to be well-dressed and to have a shelter over our head for the nights to come.
Peacefully live as if no one or nothing can make you feel worried, insecure, or suffer from insomnia.

However,

It seems like very few people can reach this state of mind. In today’s modern society, the feeling of peace is even more than just being rare, when every day after opening our eyes and getting up from a long sleep, it is the sound of busy traffic, the noise of the crowded streets, the races for achievement, power, reputation and admiration that was waiting for us. They are everywhere, from the towns to villages, from countries to countries around the world.

Moreover, it can be said that the feeling of conquering materialistic goals in our lives will make us lose our peace. The feeling of insecurity would take over and reign in us, just like it is always ready to well up inside in any situation. Since then, peace has become a luxurious and precious gift that we have been desperately searching for and wishing to give to ourselves and to others too.

So, the question here is, do you know what peace is?

A truly peaceful person is when their heart is fulfilled, and in their eyes, the outside world is always stunning and beautiful. They would happily accept anything no matter if it is good or bad, because they understand that the nature of the matter will eventually change depending on their own perspectives, and that nothing can last forever. As long as our mind is calm, we will understand that unsuitable things and negativity will eventually be eliminated from us.

The energy of peace can heal a broken heart, help a person to get rid of negative feelings, guide us to see what our life is like, and show us how to balance all the things we have in life. That is also why when people suffer from troubles and tangles within their mind, they will often come to a trustworthy person who they believe to have peace inside of them, or will find their way back to their sweet hometowns – where there are fresh river streams, flowers, trees, peaceful and lovely sceneries for them to be immersed in their great “self-love” quietly. 

Just like the sunset, we should always remember to remain calm, pure and beautiful. Let the shimmering sun rays soften our hearts and break down the negative thoughts inside our mind despite all the noisy city sounds out there.
Writing until now, I suddenly remembered some beautiful words that my colleague once mentioned:

“Three pennies for a bunch of troubles
Sell them in exchange for peace of mind
Peace is a shoulder to be rested on 
I got it from exchanging two smiles”

That is right, no matter how much money or how much valuable things you can possess, you will never be able to sell them all just to buy yourself some peace. Nevertheless, just having someone’s shoulder or your shoulder and a lovely smile, all of the sadness will soon disappear!

Much love,
Truly Inspired