Opening our hands and hearts to embrace the unexpected is when  we often receive gifts beyond our expectations.

When I was a kid, there was always that one gift I simply had to have in order to be happy ― maybe a pair of roller skates, a Barbie Playhouse or a Chatty Cathy doll (to really date myself!).  Whatever it might be, it was usually a toy I’d seen advertised on TV or something already in the possession of the oldest and coolest kid on the block.

I insisted on sitting on the lap of every department store Santa and drove my parents crazy in an effort to make sure I’d get that one magical item that I was certain would bring me supreme happiness and success in the neighborhood.

But what would happen is, I’d either get the coveted gift and after a few hours be hugely disappointed that life still looked and felt the same, or I’d get something I didn’t even ask for ― like a little tape recorder ― and end up spending hours fascinated by a little box that could capture the sound of my voice.

The irony of this has continued throughout my life. I can make my list of wants, do all I can to force them to fruition, and be frustrated when they don’t materialize.

Time and time again, I’ve discovered that when I accept the fact that controlling the process doesn’t work, and decide to be happy without it (and without hope of getting it) I often end up with something better than what I wanted in the first place!

Opening my hands and my heart to embrace the unexpected is when  I receive gifts beyond my expectations. But the challenge is being willing to do that – to let go of what I think I want and be willing to accept something else.