This is Me - Everyone loves a gift card
This is a post included in the This is Me series where I answer 1001 questions about myself as writing practice. Each post consists of me answering 5 questions about myself. Wanna share what you would answer to any or all of the questions? Do it in the comments section!
WHAT DO YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT THE MOST?
I feel like to get a fully accurate answer to this question you'd probably need to ask Paul.
In general however, I'm not a huge complainer. Sure, things get on my nerves from time to time and stuff happens that I find hard to believe so I go through the process of verbally processing it, but in the grand scheme of things, my general outlook is that complaining about things doesn't help...it doesn't accomplish anything other than maybe (and that is a big maybe) helps you feel better for a few minutes?
That being said though, if I do complain, it's usually about people not doing things I think they should be doing. Isn't that the heart of most complaints? People or situations not meeting our expectations? We feel slighted. We feel annoyed. We feel put out. If you really pay attention to complaining you do or that goes on around you, my guess is that almost all complaints would center around this general theme.
I think also that complaining can be a great way to get attention. AN INJUSTICE HAS BEEN DONE! Obviously, because I am complaining so something bad must have happened. As our culture moves more and more towards celebrating and idolizing victimhood, complaining will be all the more prevalent in our daily lives. God help us all.
WHAT DO YOU ALWAYS ARGUE ABOUT WITH PEOPLE?
This answer is going to sound kind of bougie, but I don't argue with people. At most I have heated discussions on occasion with Paul, but arguing with other people is not something I really do. While I do have strongly held beliefs about a lot of things, I'm also pretty skilled at being able to see both sides of an argument. That ability has led me to avoid "arguing" about things. Added to that I don't really like confrontation or things becoming heated because then it just makes everything uncomfortable and awkward and I do not have skills for that.
WHAT IS YOUR SIGNATURE GIFT FOR OTHERS?
I would say that I am not the best at giving gifts, but when I DO give gifts, I like them to be very specific and special to the person who is receiving. I think a meaningful gift its 100x better than a generic gift that is given out of obligation.
That being said, my go to gift when there is a feeling of obligation or I'm just not able to find something unique for the person (often that happens because I don't know them well enough) is a gift card. Functional and useful. Everyone loves a gift card.
HOW DO YOU SHOW PEOPLE YOU CARE?
Paying attention and following through. We are relational beings who have a deep seated desire to be with and to feel loved by other human beings. Feeling valued and appreciated by others is at the heart of this.
When we know that others have taken the time to pay attention to our needs, remember them and follow through by filing those needs, it does something for us. The message of the gospel mirrors that for us. God knows us intimately and is always faithful to fulfill our needs. He pays attention to the little things as well as the big.
I feel cared for deeply when others do this for me, so that is my goal and heart behind caring for others. I want to make everyone I come in contact with feel valued and cared for by attempting not to be distracted by my own personal desires, but instead to notice them, see them and respond accordingly.
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE A THOUGHTFUL PERSON?
I do consider myself to be a very thoughtful person. Maybe too thoughtful at times? ha! By that I mean that often I'm sure I overthink things and spend more time ruminating than I probably should. Although I'm sure I'm often not successful, I do try to put a lot of thought into things before I do them in order to avoid pitfalls or unnecessary conflict or confusion. I try to look at things from others perspective in an attempt to understand where they are coming from or how they have come to their thoughts or beliefs. I do feel like thoughtfulness communicates value and I do prioritize showing others that they are valuable not only to me but to God.
