The most precious gift
I’m sitting at a café in my neighborhood. A song came on that I think is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. “Jag ger dig min morgon” by Fred Åkerström, which is a cover of Tom Paxton’s song “I Give You the Morning”.
The original is fantastic too, it’s just that it resonates even more when it’s sung in my native language. But there are some nuances to it as well, like the Swedish translation being my morning instead of the morning.
It emphasizes the beauty of giving someone your time and attention. Truly being there, present and attentive. Listening instead of only hearing, seeing and not just looking.
It’s the most precious gift we can give to someone. They say that time is money, and looking at the stressed customers rushing away with a coffee-to-go, it sure looks like many people believe that to be true.
But no money in the world can replace the love and kindness of offering our total presence to someone. Even more so these days, with people’s attention often lost in the past or the future (usually the latter). You see it in their eyes, you hear it in their voice. They’re not really there, they’re already planning the next move.
On the other hand, it’s also very clear how grateful people are when you’re truly there for them. Not as a stop along the way, not like a means to an end. Simply being there.
Every year in November, the Swedish Trade Research Institute announces “årets julklapp” (the Christmas gift of the year). I’m still waiting for them to say:
“This year, the Christmas gift of the year is your time.”