WHAT IS YOUR WRAPPING PAPER?
Originally Published 12/29/2022
Happy Holidays Tribe of Up! Let’s have some fun today. If you were a present, what would be your type of wrapping paper? Would your choice of paper be silly? Classic? Regal? If we walked around dressed in wrapping paper, what would think when they saw you? Would you try and play tricks on people? When I was a kid, my dad would sometimes put a penny in a box so it would make noise when you shook it. I would find a present under the tree, shake it and hear a noise. My mind instantly went to all kinds of places as to what it could be. Imagine my surprise to unwrap a box with a pack of socks with a penny inside.
But back to the original question. I suppose my wrapping paper would be fun. I really do despise the concept of down. I view down like cauliflower. I’ve tried it a few times, hate it and won’t consciously do that ever again. I feel the same way about down. So, my wrapping paper would definitely be something that would make people smile and think happy thoughts. How about you? If we were forced to choose wrapping paper over clothes, what would yours be? How we wrap ourselves would say a lot about us, don’t you think? Would you wrap yourself or would you pay extra to be giftwrapped? What about bows and ribbons? So many questions, so many choices.
Can I let you all in on a little secret? I rarely if ever notice the wrapping paper on a gift. My focus is what’s inside the package. When it comes to gifts, I really am just a big kid. I think we all are to some degree. The wrapping paper catches our attention, and we instantly recognize that package as a gift. But then our minds get going about what’s inside, and that’s the end of any attention given to the wrapping paper. Do you all see where this is going?
I asked about wrapping paper this holiday season NOT to find out if you are a Santa wrapping paper person or a snowman wrapping paper person, or if you prefer ribbons and bows. Instead, I would ask you to give a quick think to this question. Does what’s on the outside of you create any curiosity about what’s underneath your ‘wrapping paper?’ And if that answer is yes, is what is underneath a beautiful gift or a pack of socks with a penny in the box meant to deceive? Here’s the best part dear friends. We all have the ability to change both! You will never see me strutting around Dexter in a 3-piece suit, hoping to inspire curiosity about me. But wrapping paper isn’t clothing. It’s attitude. It isn’t what you’re carrying on your person in the form of how you dress. It’s how you carry yourself. I constantly try to carry myself like a fun, truly happy package. Happy wrapping paper. Happy gift inside. Nice is free. Nice is beautiful wrapping paper. Nice. Kindness. Empathy. Those are the most wonderful wrapping papers. So let me ask again. What is your wrapping paper? I choose up! I choose kindness. And with the way Mother Nature graced us with a white Christmas, a couple snowmen wouldn’t be bad either!
Steve Gwisdalla is the Chief Happiness Officer, Director of Positive Attitudes and owner of BetterPlace Consulting, a business specializing in all things people. If you want to change your wrapping paper, reach out to Steve at [email protected].
