The gift that keeps on giving.

So these past couple of days I have had the pleasure of being in the company of friends that have given me the gift of new experiences. Some new friends and some not so new...like my neighbor Joe. Joe and I recently became neighbors when I moved to the Avenue. He looks like a weathered rancher with his cowboy hat, and denim shirt. One night I came home to his family playing Icelandic Crockett on their 10ft by 20ft lawn. Not a big space for a game, but they were all dressed up and enjoying themselves with their creative spin on the game. Right away Joe is welcoming, warm, groovy, and on another plane. He loves gardening, and talks about his garden with such love and childlike curiosity. You can tell that he's in touch with another vibration. Mother nature and a love for life with all it's little creatures. Something I like to channel myself. It was such a pleasure to take a moment on my easy Saturday morning and get to know my new neighbor a little more. The sun was warm on my face, the sea breeze was running through my hair, I was barefoot, and had not a care in the world. Sure I had places I needed to be and to go, but talking to Joe seemed to put me at ease even more. There was plenty of time for it all. I was enjoying this moment. Taking time to just do something different. Reach out to my neighbor and just shoot the shit. Talk about things...simple things. About all the bee's in his garden,the flowers, the birds, and his family. Upon my leaving Joe insisted that I listen to a CD he loved. That he thought I would love too. Cascada de Flores. Joe described it as the Andrew sisters, but with a Spanish upbringing. I was delighted and moved by his generosity. We had just gotten to know each other and he was already wanting to share something that he enjoyed. Right away I was sucked in, my ears automatically falling in love with the harmonious voices coming out of my car speakers. This was a gift that keeps on giving. Hitting my core. I love it when music just speaks to you. Everything seems that much more delightful. It's like putting on rose colored sunglasses for the day and noticing all the colors around you being so much more visually stunning. The gift of new music, new experiences, new sounds. Opening my senses up to receive a heartfelt Spanish serenade accompanied by guitars, and a harmonica.

This new gift, which was shared, not purchased made me think of all the beautiful things we can share with others. The gifts that keep on giving. I'm not talking about a new cashmere sweater. I'm talking about life experiences that entice our senses, fill our hearts and make us smile. Sharing something new with someone that isn't likely to encounter it on there own. My friend Maryah took me to a play at the Ensemble theatre Friday evening. I had not known such a theatre existed. It was such a wonderful evening and we laughed alot. Later this afternoon I went for a walk with a friend on the very outskirts of Goleta. They had never been in the area before and was amazed by the beauty of the landscape. It was something new for them and I could tell that it left an impression on them. I was happy to show them something that I thought was beautiful. It's been in their back yard this whole time, but they never got a chance or took the time to explore it on their own. Even later this evening I attended a holiday party with some Save Naples volunteers. My friend Reeve gave a slide show of images he had taken of the Gaviota Coast. Images I had never seen before, places I had never been before. It was so moving and yet inspiring again. The gift that keeps on giving. Sharing experiences with our friends and families...even strangers. The gift that keeps on giving. So perhaps this holiday season. Share a beautiful experience with others that will add to their life. That will add a new perspective. Take them to your favorite surf spot, take them to collect mistle toe in the forest, take them to your favorite theatre, make them your favorite martini, show them some of your most treasured photographs and tell them why they are so special. The gift of new experiences keeps on giving. Think about it and ask yourself what you can share with someone that will touch their hearts forever that cannot be bought in a store this holiday season. This is what I hope to give to you. I hope you have a wonderful holiday everyday.