Bob Schwartz

Buddhism identifies eight paired worldly and mundane concerns:

Receiving gifts—Not receiving gifts
Fame—Disrepute
Praise—Criticism
Pleasure—Pain

It is advised that attachment to any of these will result in suffering, for yourself and others. You don’t have to be involved in any tradition, just as a human being, to know that is true.

Concern about receiving or not receiving gifts has other facets. Concern about receiving the “wrong” gift, or concern about whether to give a gift or about giving the “wrong” gift.

This is the season for receiving and giving gifts. This message is not about receiving or not receiving or giving or not giving gifts.

You may receive gifts and give gifts. You may be famous or disreputable. You may win praise or be subject to criticism. You may feel pleasure or pain. This is life. The holidays are on their way.

This season, clinging to concerns about what you receive will not make you and others happy. The empty box, or even no box at all, is okay.