Retirement Encouragement to show LOVE to All!

1. The Christmas Songbird
A story about the Value of Showing
Unconditional LOVE!
Sonita the songbird loved waking up the Clark family each
morning with her beautiful voice. But one morning shortly
before Christmas, they left! Whatever was she going to do
for Christmas?
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2. The Christmas Songbird
Like clockwork every morning, Sonita the songbird would
perch on the branch of the Clark’s large oak tree nearest to
the upstairs windows. Once there, she would sing beautiful
choruses.
And, like clockwork, each member of the family would come
to their window and say, "Good morning, Sonita! Thanks, as
usual, for the lovely wakeup call."
Whether rain or shine, she would make the sacrifice to go
and sing for them because she realized it made them happy.
It also made her feel good to be able to share love with her
voice.
One morning, Sonita saw that the Clarks were awake even
before she showed up, and were busy loading up the car.
"Oh, morning, Sonita," said Josh Clark as he looked up and
saw her. "We're heading off to Aspen for the Christmas
holidays. See you when we get back!"
Sonita flew away disappointed. She wondered how she
would manage for the entire Christmas season without
sharing her musical love with the Clarks.
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3. With that, she set off down the block and found another
home with a tall oak tree. She perched and immediately
started singing.
Shortly after, a little girl opened a window and shrieked,
"Look, mom! A Christmas songbird, just like I wanted!"
When Sonita saw that, she felt fulfilled. She realized that
once she had love to share, her duty was to share with
anyone she came across.
And even though she had a special place in her heart for the
Clarks, she was happy singing for anyone who needed that
love.
Moral: Sharing love
unconditionally is the best way
to make a positive impact on
the world.
!3

4. The Christmas Songbird
Sonita loved the impact her morning singing had on the Clark
family. It made them happy and started their day off on a
beautiful note. To Sonita, this was a great way to show them
that she loved them.
But while Sonita was busy sharing her love with the Clarks, she
neglected to see that there were others who could benefit from
that same love. So when the family went away for Christmas,
she was left feeling empty. She thought there was no one to
share her love with for the holidays.
Then it hit her… Her special gift ought to be shared with as
many people as she could find.
Sometimes when you get stuck in the routine of life, you
overlook that there are people who need your support. Sure,
you spend your days supporting and loving your core group of
family and friends. The need for love extends way beyond
that.
You would be surprised to see just how impactful it
would be for you to show love to someone new. When
you take time out of your routine to be kind to others, it
brings you fulfillment.
Showing love to others who need it also gives them
hope. It helps them to see that in the midst of
negativity, there is something positive to live for.
Personal Reflection
!4

5. Especially during the season of love and togetherness,
making a special effort to be good to others goes a very
long way.
Self-Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways can I show love to each person I meet?
2. How can I share my time effectively without neglecting
my family and friends?
3. What resolutions can I set to ensure I can show love to
others?
!5

6. Affirmation
I am generous and giving. I give without the expectation of receiving
anything in return.
I naturally have a great deal of generosity and I enjoy feeling
even more generous each day. I give what I have freely and openly.
Giving to others makes me feel happy and fulfilled.
I am generous at every opportunity. While driving, I allow others to
change lanes in front of me; I am happy to accommodate them. I help
my neighbors; sometimes simply by holding a door open. I practice
random acts of kindness daily. I pay for a strangers food order. I am
generous to strangers… who often become friends. I smile at everyone
who enters my path in life.
Being generous and giving makes my day more enjoyable. My willingness
to give makes others around me happy as well.
I am generous and giving with my family. I love my family and I find it
easy to give to them. Family is my top priority, and I give them my very
best each and every day. It makes my heart joyful when I know I am
being generous with them.
While I am very giving, I know when it is time to protect myself. After all,
if I harm myself in the process of giving to others, I am less capable of
giving in the future. So I refrain from giving so much that it is detrimental
to me.
I am generous and giving with myself. I understand that I also
deserve to enjoy my life and be treated with compassion. I am
compassionate with myself and free from unreasonable
expectations.

7. Spread LOVE this Holiday Season and into the
New Year! Wendy, www.retirement-online.com