Today I want to talk about adding meaning to almost everything we do, especially when it comes to gifts. Let me start with a story.
I had the privilege of spending a day with an incredible winemaker. We talked about wine, the nuances people can detect, and what makes wine special. I toured the vineyard and saw the winemaking process—an amazing experience. At the end of the day, he handed me a bottle of wine and said, “Let me show you why this wine is so special.” He explained that this wine was picked when I turned thirty and received a perfect rating from Parker. He wanted me to keep it until my 50th birthday.
This bottle of wine became a symbol of that remarkable day with Bill and my 30th birthday. It encapsulated everything I learned about winemaking. I had to wait about five years before opening it, adding even more anticipation and meaning to it. Instead of just giving me a bottle of wine with a high rating, he gave me a future date to look forward to.
When I neared my 50th birthday, I didn't want to lose the memory of that day. So, I bought a decanter—something I don't usually use—and poured the wine into it. The decanter still holds special meaning for me.
Bill added more meaning to an already great bottle of wine. We can do something similar in many aspects of our lives. Around my 50th birthday, I asked everyone who wanted to give me a gift to give me a book that meant something to them and write why they chose it for me. Initially, I was unsure about asking for gifts but then realized I wanted memories from them.
I received an amazing set of books, some I've read before, some since, and some not yet. But each one has a meaningful inscription on the first page.
The point is, almost everything we do—especially gifts—can be endowed with meaning. Let me share one last story.
At the Center for Advanced Hindsight, we have lab pens. My handwriting isn't great, so I prefer thicker pens that are easier to hold and write smoothly. After much searching, I found the perfect pen and added our lab's logo to it. When new people join the lab, I explain the thought process behind choosing this pen and then give it to them.
It's not solving world problems but it does add meaning to something simple. We can do this with almost anything.
Consider how you can add more meaning to everyday items or actions to make them more pleasurable for yourself and others.
