Often a gift received, then presented to another, 

brings us more joy 

than if we consumed it ourselves. 

Usually, when someone knows us and has selected something we enjoy, we happily use it. It’s only good manners! The fact that we like the high mountain tea or those luscious dark chocolates has nothing to do with it. We’re just being polite. Honestly!

But what if we didn’t consume our gifts?

What if we, in turn, give the tea to a tea lover who probably has never savored this rare kind? Or give the chocolates to someone who wouldn’t think of splurging so on herself?

If we drink the tea and eat the chocolates, they’ll soon be gone. Especially those chocolates. We wouldn’t want to keep recalling the wonderful aromas and tastes because that smacks of attachments. But imagine our joy when years later a cup of tea is handed to us and the aroma triggers the memory of how much our good friend enjoyed his tea.

Our own personal pleasure is immaterial. Others happiness truly matters.