In a few weeks, after having wrapped the presents in shiny paper that is often garish, but beautiful nonetheless, grateful recipients of the aforementioned treasures will express their appreciation for the kindness of the givers. They will bask in the knowledge that a dear one thought enough of them to go out of their way and sacrifice their time in the often-exhausting search for a present. Ah yes, this is a wonderful time of the year and giving is such a rewarding experience!

In truth, throughout the entire year, each of us has been given gifts of magnificent beauty. The presents have been wrapped in a truly inspiring, but never garish manner and the gifts have been majestic in their awesome splendor.

At the start of the year, the presents were draped in comforters of pristine and delicate white. Later on, we were blessed with gifts that were gently cloaked in lush tones of green. No batteries were required in order to help us enjoy all that we were blessed with. Our hearts, souls, and spirits provided more than enough energy to do the job.

As the year continued to unfold, many of us were dazzled with a new palette of colors that covered the same gifts we had been delighting in for many months. Even now, we can surely remember the warmth of the gold, remarkable richness of the red, and the dignity of the brown hued wonders that were ours to behold just a short time ago. And on numerous occasions the backdrop of magical shades of blue, pink, and amber were so vivid and enchanting that many of us felt tears welling up in our eyes as we looked up and viewed the bounties that were painted across the skies.

Some of the presents that we were offered this year also came garbed in luxurious coats of fur, although most of us didn't get a chance to actually hold these precious things. After all, there are some gifts that are meant to be viewed from afar and not handled. But even though we can't touch them, our reverence for their priceless beauty remains intact and welcome to most of us.

I say most of us for there are some who would do great damage to these gifts and cause them to be broken forever. These are the people who kill animals just for the sport of it or because they are misguided in their ways.

There are also many people who are, sometimes unwittingly, guilty of destroying the other gifts that I've written about. These are the people who carelessly burn down our forests. Many also pollute our streams, rivers, oceans, and even the life sustaining gift that is the air that we breathe.

I too have been guilty of not cherishing some of the gifts that I've been blessed with for there were times during the year when I carelessly sullied these presents by casting trash upon the ground and trampling on some insects and plants. I don't do that any longer, but the harm has already been done and I must live with the knowledge that I chose to disrespect the gifts that are so wondrous and in many cases irreplaceable.

It is critically important for all of us to realize that if we do not protect, nurture, and show grateful appreciation for the gifts that we are constantly provided, the seasons of giving may no longer be ours to experience. And if that happens, we, the recipients of the gifts, will also surely cease to exist.

Throughout this joyous time of the year and indeed each day of your life, give a present to the environment that gives so much to us. Don't kill animals or any living thing that has value to the world. Don't pollute our land, water, and air. Don't continue to carelessly sap our seriously depleted energy resources.

Continue to receive and enjoy the gifts, but for God's sake, don't look the great giver in the eye and spurn its love for us.

I would love to hear from you. My readers are very important to me and I answer each and every email. My contact is Gary.

You can find more articles in the archive under Reflections on a Dream