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The Best Christmas Present Ever
Family, Healthy Lifestyle, Quitting alcohol, Relationships 495 Comments on The Best Christmas Present Ever

The Best Christmas Present Ever

By Anonymous · On December 25, 2014

Last Christmas I received the most unexpected and miraculous present ever. I was speaking with my Mom, with whom I have had a difficult relationship for many years, particularly the last 3, and I noted a change in me: let me explain a little further.

A few months prior to our Christmas phone call I came to understand how I was holding myself back from accepting and loving my Mom just as she is, with no expectation, no neediness, and no agenda. When I opened up to her without judgment and with true acceptance, not needing her to be a certain way, we had some really great conversations in which we truly connected as we never have before.

So on the aforementioned Christmas day, as we were talking and truly listening deeply to one another in this new way, she shared with me something I never thought I’d hear her say. That she and my step-dad, who both drank 3-4 alcoholic drinks every single day for the past 30+ years, (hard liquor, beer, and wine) had stopped drinking completely – and it was no big deal at all! I was stunned. I was so deeply touched to learn that it was something they chose to do together to improve their health and vitality.

My parents are both losing weight, sleeping better, waking up earlier and have more energy. My Mom is 69 years old and my step-dad is 79. Alcohol has been a part of their daily routine for most of their lives, and now it’s just simply not.

In hearing this most amazing news, I connected with the pain I had felt deep inside for many years upon witnessing how different they both became after having even just one drink. I started weeping tears of joy and relief and humbleness.

The humbleness was because what my Mom shared was a huge lesson for me to not give up on anyone ever, to never ever judge or blame another, never ever doubt what someone is capable of, to never ever stop connecting and loving no matter what choices someone makes.

This is so huge in my family, and such an amazing healing for me and my partner and for them – for us all together. In one short conversation I was able to let go of years of resentment, hurt, and blame, and truly connect with my Mom again without the intruder named Alcohol. I now feel such deep honor and appreciation for them both in a way that I didn’t allow myself to before, with or without alcohol… The best Christmas present ever!

By Anonymous, USA

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495 Comments

  • Leigh says: December 29, 2019 at 7:33 am

    This really reminds me of when I drop conditions, needs, expectations and/or judgement it totally blows me away when the other is no longer weighted down by what I am putting on them (the needs etc).

    Reply
  • Mary says: November 4, 2019 at 4:43 pm

    What you have highlighted in your blog anonymous is that we can never judge another person for the way they are choosing to live because we do not know the history of this life or their past live choices. And what I am beginning to understand is that if we hold back love for another we are holding back love for everyone.

    Reply
  • Melinda Knights says: April 21, 2019 at 7:45 pm

    You’ve highlighted how beneficial and loving offering people space is for the onlooker, because it can feel devastating seeing the choices people make, particularly if we are unable to feel our natural love for each other.

    Reply
  • Greg Barnes says: February 14, 2019 at 8:39 pm

    The power of True reflection should never be underestimated as everyone can feel the quality that is presented.

    Reply
    • Melinda Knights says: April 21, 2019 at 7:47 pm

      And reflection is a lasting impression, no matter when people choose to be inspired by it.

      Reply
  • Amparo Lorente Cháfer says: February 12, 2019 at 1:36 pm

    Without expectations there’s no pressure to do the changes that we all need to do at some point, as there is acceptance and no judgement about the rhythm each of us has to make their own choices.

    Reply
  • Mary Adler says: February 1, 2019 at 3:27 pm

    A great lesson in loving each other no matter what their choices – as God loves all of us.

    Reply
  • Greg Barnes says: January 20, 2019 at 9:02 pm

    Learning to listen to our bodies we would never drink and when we start to understand how much we loose control of our connection then alcohol will becomes a thing of the past just like witch hunts.

    Reply
  • Elaine says: December 18, 2018 at 7:11 pm

    Reading this today makes me realise how often I am tempted to give up on someone- not necessarily completely but concerning some aspect of their lives. I am constantly reminding myself to open to more love and hold the other in love and gradually my total acceptance is allowing me more expression, offering the other to come to a deeper level of honesty if they so choose.

    Reply
    • Mary says: April 19, 2020 at 3:45 pm

      Yes Elaine the temptation to give up always seems to be my thoughts that are floating around in the background that can take hold and lead me away from that situation that needs greater love and understanding. Some people are carrying such deep hurts that it is extremely difficult for them to let go as the hurts have become who they are, so that to let go would be to step into a void of uncharted waters. Some people have such ingrained hurts that they cannot let go and to protect their hurts they will attack and ridicule in order to defend what they cannot let go off. These people need huge amounts of love and understanding.

      Reply
  • Rebecca says: December 16, 2018 at 6:11 pm

    This is really beautiful to accept where someone is at and not have the need for them to be different; ‘When I opened up to her without judgment and with true acceptance, not needing her to be a certain way.’ This feels very freeing for both of you.

    Reply
  • Helen Elliott says: December 15, 2018 at 8:06 pm

    It truly is the best present ever when someone returns to themself.

    Reply
    • Alexis Stewart says: October 31, 2019 at 4:55 am

      Even those who reject a person for changing will be blessed by their return.

      Reply
  • Leigh Matson says: December 11, 2018 at 6:03 pm

    It’s really beautiful what can happen when we get our hurts, reactions, needs and expectations out of the picture.

    Reply
  • Rebecca says: December 8, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    This is really great to realise and be honest about; ‘I came to understand how I was holding myself back from accepting and loving my Mom just as she is, with no expectation, no neediness, and no agenda.’ I can feel how judgement gets in the way of us connecting with each other and having loving, true relationships.

    Reply
    • Helen Elliott says: December 15, 2018 at 8:09 pm

      Judgement of ourselves and others is a corrosive poison that harms so many relationships and thank you for sharing the miracles that can happen when we let go of trying to control others and give them the dignity to make their own choices.

      Reply
  • Rebecca says: December 8, 2018 at 4:23 pm

    Anonymous, it is really beautiful and inspiring to read this; ‘The humbleness was because what my Mom shared was a huge lesson for me to not give up on anyone ever, to never ever judge or blame another, never ever doubt what someone is capable of.’ How amazing it would be if we all lived this way – not judging each other and instead holding each other in love and knowing each others potential.

    Reply
  • Sarah Flenley says: December 5, 2018 at 6:40 am

    People need to do things in their own way and in their own time, that is how true and lasting change can occur.

    Reply
  • Bryony says: November 7, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    To never stop connecting and loving.. allowing space and not imposing our pictures of how we think things should be is the greatest gift and loving thing we can do for ourselves and all our relationships.

    Reply
  • Lorraine says: October 25, 2018 at 6:39 pm

    It is amazing how so much changes when we just love and are love, lovely to read your sharing, ‘I was holding myself back from accepting and loving my Mom just as she is, with no expectation, no neediness, and no agenda. When I opened up to her without judgment and with true acceptance, not needing her to be a certain way, we had some really great conversations in which we truly connected as we never have before.’

    Reply
  • Sandra Vicary says: October 11, 2018 at 5:28 am

    What a valuable lesson this is indeed Anonymous, “…to not give up on anyone ever, to never ever judge or blame another, never ever doubt what someone is capable of, to never ever stop connecting and loving no matter what choices someone makes.” As you so rightly say, we never know what someone is capable of and equally will never know the reasons why they started a certain behaviour in the first place, so to just accept each other for who they are and their individual choices is the most loving thing we can do.

    Reply
  • Sam says: September 16, 2018 at 4:34 am

    When we hold no expectations, no neediness, and no agenda our relationships flourish – bring this stuff back in and they go haywire.

    Reply
  • Meg says: September 10, 2018 at 2:47 pm

    I love these words: “never ever doubt what someone is capable of” – sometimes we can get very tunnel visioned when it comes to what we see, especially when it comes to other people’s choices, but it’s amazing to acknowledge that this moment isn’t forever and we have no idea what is possible or what someone might chose the next moment.

    Reply
  • Sarah Flenley says: August 4, 2018 at 6:19 am

    All in our own time.

    Reply
  • Shami says: July 2, 2018 at 7:14 am

    It is very beautiful to watch people that you love make more self loving choices.

    Reply
    • Nicola Lessing says: July 26, 2018 at 6:57 pm

      I agree it is very lovely to see anyone making more loving choices – it is also very liberating to be free of the need for others to get it with the understanding that everyone will when they are ready!

      Reply
  • Natalie Hawthorne says: June 30, 2018 at 7:24 am

    The last few Christmas’s have been the best I have ever had. It involved very few presents and just a true joy and celebration of the family and friends who we were with. No indulgence just great true and honest conversations deliciously prepared food and sharing time together.

    Reply
    • Elaine Arthey says: November 19, 2018 at 6:45 am

      This is so unlike the usual over indulgence in food and alcohol, giving and receiving of often unwanted gifts, and all the rest that constitutes Christmas for so many of us. This time has become much more simple for me over the years too – we really do not need to buy into the pressure and hype even though it is all around us we can do it differently and reap the benefits of little or no stress and much joy and celebration with loved ones.

      Reply
  • Julie says: April 30, 2018 at 3:27 pm

    Many of us have pictures of how we want our parents to be and will not let them off the hook of expectation. We end up being hard on them and having a relationship that is less than loving – a relationship of ‘putting up’ with them. It’s awful to think that we can go our whole lives without truly accepting our parents and understanding why and how they got their own set of beliefs, and in a way waiting for them to change first.

    Reply
    • Lorraine Wellman says: November 2, 2018 at 3:52 pm

      We place these expectations on family instead of accepting them and the situation, we are here to be love, not to judge, ‘to never ever judge or blame another, never ever doubt what someone is capable of, to never ever stop connecting and loving no matter what choices someone makes.’

      Reply
  • MW says: April 28, 2018 at 5:47 am

    It is interesting that when we hold onto our hurts we do not allow others to change, instead we hold them to how they have been and this can incarcerate them and us into going back into and repeating old patterns. Healing and learning to let go is an important aspect in relationships.

    Reply
  • Sam says: April 21, 2018 at 12:23 pm

    Awesome and so cool your mum is making changes that truly support her. When we accept each other for how we are, without expectations, no agenda and no neediness it is felt – this then allows them space to truly heal.

    Reply
  • Danna Elmalah says: April 16, 2018 at 5:23 am

    Beautiful, hearing what actually a best Christmas present can bring, as this example reveals.. forget all the expensive material gifts, as they fall short when truth is lived.

    Reply
  • Annelies van Haastrecht says: March 31, 2018 at 4:31 pm

    ‘to never ever stop connecting and loving no matter what choices someone makes.’ To know and trust the power of reflection.

    Reply
  • Michael Goodhart says: March 24, 2018 at 2:23 am

    One of the greatest things I took from this blog is just how important it is to never give up on anyone, no matter how negative an experience you have had with that person. Because giving up on them is the same as giving up on ourselves and love itself. We should never leave anyone behind like that since they may need our love and understanding even more after giving up on it themselves.

    Reply
  • greg Barnes says: March 12, 2018 at 8:24 am

    Building a relationship with those that are close to us will bring a shift in the way we see each other when we hold our divine connection.

    Reply
  • Carola Woods says: March 3, 2018 at 5:55 am

    The power of reflection… speaks louder than words as it is our movements that magnify the vibration of love for all to see and know that this light is the light of our being. The gift of being the love we are is one that brings light to our everyday living, every day.

    Reply
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