Gifts come in all shapes and sizes. Big ones, small ones, expensive ones, cheap ones. Some gifts come from a store, some are handmade. And some gifts do not fit into any of these categories. These gifts include quality time with someone special, words of encouragement when we most need it, or even a simple hug. Just one human being connecting to another.

And sometimes, gifts even present themselves as trials, struggles, or unfortunate events.

The real challenge is learning to recognize when we are being given a gift. Because what is the primary purpose of a gift? Ultimately it is to spread joy and increase happiness. So in that regard, even something unwanted like a job layoff or the loss of a loved one can, if applied properly, can become a source of joy and happiness.

When my mother was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, the doctors told her that her particular form of cancer had a 100% mortality rate. In other words, it was not a matter of ‘if’ she would die, but when.

From the outside looking in, this was terrible news.

But there was a silver lining.

My mother lived for another 18 months. Time-wise, she was in the top 5% of people diagnosed with her kind of brain disease. My mom and dad took a lot of road trips. They visited all of her longtime friends from all the states they had lived in over the years. They took a couple private vacations. In short, she was able to say goodbye in person to everyone of her relatives and everyone she held dear. And when she finally passed away, it was at home surrounded by all of her family.

Not everyone who leaves this world has such opportunities. Even though her passing was sad, the last months of her life were a tremendous, happy gift.

To your good fortune!