Things that give me that feeling of  "this is perfect, they'll love it, it'll be great," but things that I won't notice when it's time to pay back the credit card bill.

Since our children have the longest and most expensive Christmas list, let's discover a few items for them that won't stretch the budget.

Tucked under the tree they will find that  I'm going to book a day with their dad to talk over our future as parents.  A time to brainstorm over questions like, "are we molding our children our just managing them ?"   Okay, so we're just managing, how do we move to molding ? What three life skills would we like to teach each child this year ?  How will we do it ?

I think I'll take out family photos that have never made it into an album, (that will be almost all of them), take a lingering gaze through the memories and get sentimental at how time has marched by.   No doubt by this time their father may be thinking the day is really getting out of hand, but then we'll perk up by talking about us.  We'll ask what our time commitments and actions have been modeling to our children. We'll explore connecting them to mentoring friends of ours and generally be deeply thankful for the privilege of raising future world shapers.

Checking down my list I'll next tackle those little gifts for  service providers and colleagues I appreciate.  I wonder how much they would value the gift of encouraging words and time enhancing actions given through out the year?  Would they like to go for coffee sometime and be asked, "tell me, how did you come to be who you are today ?"  The Christmas gift of genuine interest in people who impact my world each day.

Obviously this priceless list is the place where I can really spoil myself, and plan at least part of  my own extensive wish list into reality.  I'll start with some thoughts that came after a recent meeting with a $5,000 a day guy, Bob Biehl.

Bob came across as unassuming, observant, confidant, and as someone who probably has no problem paying for Christmas gifts.  As President of the Masterplanning Group, Bob is an author and consultant in high demand to big business and movers and shakers with money.   He's also charitable and a kindly gentleman which is why I found myself talking to him for free.

"If I can answer one question for you Lorna to help you with your life, what would it be ?" asked Bob.

Keep holding your breath, I won't spill the beans here, but I did walk away from my encounter with Bob determined to give myself the priceless gift of a curious mind.  Bob left me with the advice that until we start asking ourselves questions we're only running on about five percent of our potential.

"It's in asking the questions that you really start to think through a wide variety of options," said Bob.  "There is a gigantic difference between the person who has no questions to help them process situations and the person who has profound questions available."

And just like a nice Santa would do, Bob gave me a priceless list of what he called "his very best questions".    With many thanks to Bob and in the spirit of giving, let me pass some of them on with the hopes you will unwrap the beautiful gift of who you are and who you can become.
 

1.	What three changes in me would most please Eternal God in His Holy Heaven ?
2.	Why am I on the earch ?  What can I do to make the most significant difference for God in my lifetime ?
3.	What is the single best measurable indicator that I am making progress toward my dream ?
4.	If I could accomplish only three measurable priorities before I die, what would I acomplish ?
5.	If I could accomplish only three measurable priorities in the next ten years, what would I accomplish ?

Give yourself the priceless gift of reflecting on profound questions this season, and from my heart to yours, have a blessed and generous Christmas as you travel the journey of life.