3 precious gifts to people you love and they will surely appreciate!

There are so many presents we give to each other during Christmas or new year.

But how many of the gifts are what the person really needs?

How many of the gifts really nourish the person who may be very important for you?

There are 3 kinds of gifts that you can give to the people you love, and it's for sure that's what they need, and these gifts will nourish them and the quality of relation.

And most of all, they cost nothing!

First gift: A moment of listening with empathy

Gathering with friends or family in holiday or weekend could a moment of talking, talking and talking. Few people are listening. Fewer people are listening with empathy. That's why at the end of gathering we may feel tired.

A precious gift we may give to the people we love is a moment of real listening.

Real listening becomes rare and precious now, as we forgot how to listen.

What does it mean by "listen with empathy"?

It means "I'm interested in you", or "I'm curious what you feel".

It means listening to the other person deeply, accurately with presence, empathy and acceptance.

If you listen to someone with empathy for 10 or 15 minutes, it will be a precious moment for her/him. It will nourish this person and your relation. It may even become a moment that person will not forget.

Second gift: A moment of connection with your eyes

Your eyes are precious. Because they bring the most precious thing all human beings are looking for: the attention. Giving attention sincerely to an other person with your eyes, is a precious gift. We all need attention. It's like food and water. It nourish us deeply.

But sometimes looking at other's eyes takes courage. Sometimes some people may even feel uncomfortable to look at the other's eyes, even our familiar ones, like our family.

But if you want to give this precious gift to the person you care, it may be worth a try.

Here are some tips:

• Set an intention for this precious moment of eye contact. This intention is like a small message, or small wish that you send to the other without speaking. It could be "I see you", "I accept you as you are", "I wish you happy", "I wish you healthy", or "I hope you find what you're looking for".

• Smile. Smile is a relaxing movement. That helps you to relax and also the person who receives your smile.

• Be simple and sincere.

Third gift: A word of appreciation

Oh, yes, "I appreciate you", no one doesn't like this gift, but no one admits that.

We often forget how important appreciation is. In Asian culture, expressing appreciation is not common, and especially between loved ones or families, it is even considered unnecessary.

However, appreciation is one of the key elements in a relation, because it nourishes the connection with gratitude. It reminds us how important this person is for me. A relation without appreciation will die, or easily enters into conflicts.

How can we express our appreciation in a natural and powerful way?

• Express your gratitude for this person's acts, words, attitudes, like "I'm grateful for your kind words that evening", "Thank you for supporting me in my decision"... Or just appreciate the person totally: "Thank you for being who you are!"

• Express how important it is for you in a precise way. It is more powerful to say "Your listening without judgement gave me strength to accept the fact that I made a mistake" than just saying "Thank you for your listening".

• Don't be afraid to be vulnerable. Sometimes, what we appreciate is what we have learned from our suffering, or a difficulty. We might have to touch that difficult feelings to express our appreciation to the other person. Then just be brave! Your vulnerability and sincerity in the appreciation can empower yourself and the person who hears this will be touched or even empowered by you too.

Try these 3 precious gifts with the people you love, the people who are important for you.

The secret is: Always start with this person first: yourself.

Enjoy!