The phenomenon of giving presents to others is so profound. It's almost in giving that we are indeed selfish. When you think about it, we give to feel better about ourselves, or to gain an emotional response in others, thus reflecting that response onto ourselves once more. I am not heartless. I love giving. I could go completely against my words and say "I love to give because I know that the gifts that I send will bring happiness to the bearer." That's not entirely untrue. It is a reason. But the notion that you're giving to invoke an emotion is still just playing in my mind.
I'm not trying to dismantle Christmas, or suggest that people stop buying me presents, because I love getting them, it's simply the motives behind some peoples' giving. The guilt of "having" to buy someone a present for their birthday. Is that really heartfelt giving? Or is that just culture turned "what is right and wrong?".
Thoughts are swirling.
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