“Life may sometimes give you a gift wrapped in turmoils instead of pretty papers and bows.” – Kaisha Vicenal
Kaisha Vicenal (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer
Is there anyone who doesn’t want to receive a gift? I guess everyone does. Do we want it? Is it something we expected? Is it something we want to keep, or is it something that we will eventually neglect and forget over time?
I think receiving a gift stirs our emotions every time. It’s our perception and expectation that give value to the things we receive. Some people would give more weight to the monetary value of a present, and some appreciate more the thought that comes with it.
But what about gifts that are intangible? Time, love, peace, knowledge, wisdom, strength, chance. Just like material things, gifts handed out by life come in different shapes and sizes, in various colors and weights.
Life may sometimes give you a gift wrapped in turmoils instead of pretty papers and bows.
Hardships are gifts disguised. They are inevitable and, most of the time, feel crushing and brutal. How we handle situations shapes us to become newer versions of us every time. If somehow your plan did not align to what you wanted, would you give up or would you keep on trying? Difficult experiences reveal our true characters and pry strength and resilience from us. Failure teaches us what success cannot: humility, grace, faith and patience. Heartbreaks show us our self-worth and how we should be loved. A rejection is nothing but a redirection. It may not be a straight and smooth path, and it might take a longer and winding route, but still, it leads you where you’re supposed to be headed.
Life also gives us the gift of people. Our family and friends, colleagues, and sometimes even strangers. Our families, whatever the dynamics are, bring meaning and purpose to our existences. They are our first memories, our first allies, our first homes. Motherhood is one of the most hopeful desires of many women. Not everyone is given a chance to experience both the joy and pain of conceiving a child. And not everyone welcomes expecting a child with anticipation and euphoria. Many feel the anxiety, denial and fear of the unknown of the path that is yet to unravel. Some might choose to terminate the pregnancy due to many different reasons, be it medical or personal. Nonetheless, being a mother now comes with different faces. One can be a mother via surrogacy, adoption or simply being a pet mom.
Friends sprinkle dust of joy and excitement and comfort. They share with us the adventures we took, the thrill and pain of heartbreak, and the dreams we wove. The workplace is an everyday learning hub, a credit to our colleagues. It may bring a mentor who guides and inspires us, or our greatest critics who challenge us to be better. Chance encounters with strangers sometimes place us in awe of how wonderful and profound humanity is. They can make us selfless and mindful of others.
Life also gives us the gift of discernment. We are able to see beyond what is on the table, what is good and what is bad for us. Discernment gives us the wisdom to choose with greater clarity. It’s like a bruised apple. Would you eat it, or would you throw it away? Or maybe, just maybe, would you think of what’s inside and plant the seeds so you could make something new out of it?
Most people think that they have all the time in the world until they run out of it. Time is a gift and it is fleeting. Seasons change. People come and go. Relationships sometimes fail because we fail to give time to the people we love. Moments just go by in a blink of an eye. Babies grow up so fast that we hardly know where the time goes. Second chances are time given to begin again what was messed up. A project that went south, or an interview that did not go well. It is an opportunity to realize what really matters and summon the courage to start over.
Sometimes, life just lets us be on our own, not to make us stray, but to give us the gift of independence. It is when we discover that we are capable of tying our own shoelaces. Then faith comes with it. It is knowing that whatever happens, it will be for our betterment. It is also the time when we discover who we are beneath the expectations and circumstances. Lessons learned give us the wisdom we gained through the experience of life.
As I journeyed through life, one of the best things life gave me was the gift of perspective. My viewpoint has evolved through all the different seasons and phases of my life. What was important when I was younger does not matter to me now. My life still has struggles, and not every battle has to be fought and won. Sometimes it is better to just let go and keep my peace. I believe that what is meant for me will find its way to me. If it does not find its way to me, then it is not meant for me.
Life sometimes gives us exactly the gift we wanted. Sometimes it gives us not the gift we want, but exactly the gift we need. And so many times, life takes away the gift we value the most, just so life can make some space for the gifts we truly deserve. Life gives us boxes of chocolates throughout our lifetimes, we’ll never know what we’ll get until we open them.
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Kaisha loves to weave meaningful moments through writing, photography and arts. A music lover and proud mother of two sons, she draws inspiration from life experiences, human connections and the beauty of everyday moments.