The Gift: Ten Things Money Cannot Buy…
“Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third” Marge Piercy
The Gift: Ten Things Money Cannot Buy... contentment; self-worth in all things
The Gift: Ten Things Money Cannot Buy... Life
*Life/Health
*True Love
*Wisdom -understanding
Today, I was thinking about one of our recent Daily Post prompts: What is the best gift you’ve ever received? The more I thought about all the wonderful material things I have received or bought in my lifetime, the more I imagined other material things that would put a smile on my face. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with getting great gifts and enjoying them but, how long does it take before the novelty wears off and we want another toy?
Remember how much we craved those Godiva chocolates and then when we got them for Valentine’s Day one year, what did we do? We enjoyed them and then hoped for something different the next Valentine’s Day? No matter what type of material gift we receive, its shelf life is bound by conditions and emotions that can and do fade away… It can be replaced.
“Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection” Pindar
The Gift: Ten Things Money Cannot Buy... Love
The Gift: Ten Things Money Cannot Buy ... Time
*Faith
*Personality
*Happiness
How about those of us who love cars? Remember your first dream car and how you named it, pampered it, and cruised all over town in it, till Buddy got a better car and then Phffft? Oh, and what about those Christmas/Birthday/Holiday shopping lists our kids give or send to us and by the time the event comes around, half the gifts have become irrelevant and the rest are … just okay? I had a good laugh thinking about the line from the song, Money Can’t Buy You Class, by the Countess de Lesseps from the Bravo TV show – Housewives of New York City. With some training perhaps yes, but classy friends who truly care about you, or true love, No.
“I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God’s gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment” Frances Farmer
The Gift: Ten Things Money Cannot Buy ... true friendship
*Courage
*Self-worth
*Good/True Friends
*Time
As I weighed the way we typically cherish material gifts against those lifelong gifts that really matter, I started asking family and friends what gifts they felt could not be bought. The list I put together is a summary of the top ten answers I got. They are not the final word on treasured gifts money cant buy, but I think they come pretty close. What do you think? I invite you to share some of your ideas of gifts that can’t be bought. Do tell and I will create an updated list. Thank you!
“Since time is the one immaterial object which we cannot influence–neither speed up nor slow down, add to nor diminish–it is an imponderable, valuable gift.” Maya Angelou
The Gift: Ten Things Money Cannot Buy... wisdom
I had previously planned to give a short blurb on each one but realized that we can all come up with reasons why these qualities cannot be bought. Some are obvious, like time, a charismatic personality, happiness, life, love, and true friends but, the more we think about it, it becomes apparent that even for those who can use their purchasing power to procure anything they want, if they lack a sense of self-worth; a feeling of contentment, then nothing else will ever matter.
We can pretend or posture all we want but, without the commonsense to honor our gifts, enjoy them, and share them… all is for naught. Why didn’t I add health to the list? I tied it in with life; a meaningful healthy life. There are those who can purchase the best care to help with their ailments but that care wouldn’t necessarily extend their lives beyond a certain point. Anyway, I have added it to life for the sake of clarity. What else do you suggest should be added here?
Ten Things Money Cannot Buy
*Life/Health
*True Love
*Wisdom -understanding
*Faith
*Personality
*Happiness
*Courage
*Self-worth
*Good/True Friends
*Time
Again, What are your thoughts? Do share? If you were given a chance to take one thing on the list and enjoy it for the rest of your life, what would you choose? Thank You! 🙂
Positive Motivation Tip: Cherish the gifts you have and pay them forward; without life and goodwill, we have nothing.
Related Articles
- Greatest Gift ever. (fairyfleur.wordpress.com)
- Love Thyself (joyofspa.com)
- Three Gifts: Hearts. Awards. Hops. (eof737.wordpress.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Photos of Gifts, Life forms, Love Heart, Time, Wisdom, Friendship via Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Awesome list!
Good post, Eliz.
My most valuable possession is my sense of humor. When it’s gone, I won’t last long.
Thanks for your list. My most valuable possession hum, cats, books, my brain and eyes to see, hands to type, ears to listen and mouth to share. “)
the best gift?
wordpress software …
At this very moment, the quiet of morning, the love my daughter and I shared, the antcipation of a day that I can embrace with all my heart and soul.
Life
Friendship
Family
Beautiful gifts indeed.
Thank you.
Beautiful list..I have to put my thinking cap on for this one!
hmmm. If I could choose one, it would be self-worth…because then, don’t you think?–I’d feel worthy of good health/fitness, worthy of love, happy…
that’s my first thought, this morning over coffee…
blessings, and thanks for the reminder about what is truly important…
I’ve been taking some time away, lately, from the blog and connectedness…and realize my priorities are skewed…
jane
Eliz
I like your list for what money can’t buy. I have to add my “humor”- if I lose that-I”M SUNK !!! 🙂
I’m definitely going to have to go with a sense of humor being a great gift that I couldn’t live without then second would be relationships with friends family and even people I don’t know. Without those two things, I’ve got nothing.
Wonderful list! I would only add “the natural world”. Can you beat a gorgeous day or starry night, the ocean, a river, the woods, fields of corn or cotton or tomatoes, the scent of an orange grove when the blossoms bloom, a cool breeze when it’s hot ouside, the quiet beauty of a snowfall, the glory of the mountains, the austere beauty of a desert, green , lush valleys, sunrises, sunsets, lightening storms, and all of the wonders of the animal world from butterfiles to predators to creatures of the sea. It’s all there for us to enjoy!
Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for dropping by my blog. So right… long time no hear! =D
Money can’t buy a lot of things! I agree with your list =)
theblogforbrides.com
journeyofawoman.wordpress.com
Great list Elizabeth!
If I had to choose one, I think it would be health, because without good health, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the many other things on your list!
What about talent? As the old adage goes, “Some are born with it; the rest of us have to work at it.”
pretty good list…I think you covered all the bases.. True love definitely. It attracts everything else..
Brilliant list, Time is one of the greatest gifts you can give anyone
I love the quotes you included! Your list is right on!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog during my SITS weekend!
Very thoughtful. So true.