“We would frequently be ashamed of our good deeds if people saw all of the motives that produced them.”
(Francois de La Rochefoucauld)

I don’t know why we call this intense shopping day “Black Friday.” Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say “Red Friday?” as in “My bank account will be in the red after this Friday?”

Just remember this as you’re forking over your hard-earned cash: The motivation behind a gift speaks far louder than the gift itself:

–If you’re buying more for your kids in order to make up for your absence throughout the year, for instance, they know it.
–If you’re buying too much so you can, for a few months, mask your insecurity that you’re not likable unless you keep up with the Joneses, the Joneses will know it.
—if you’re buying too much for anyone, especially your kids, in order to avoid having the difficult conversations your gut keeps nagging you about, your gut will know it and start speaking louder.

If, however, you’re buying gifts with no agenda whatsoever, but just to shower the people you love with love, and you expect absolutely nothing in return (even a thank you) go for it with wild abandon.

Just don’t expect to be in the black afterwards.

Peace begins with pause,