A discussion about business ethics, character traits, integrity, and values

"The Gift of the Magi" is one of O. Henry's most famous stories. It is not an example of failure to communicate it is one of unselfish love and the power to sacrifice for your love. This love will last forever.

What couples need to show for each other is Charity which is the pure love
of God. Without they are doomed to fail. True love is communicated in many ways. This couple had charity one to another and that love will never die.

Hmmmm, John. You sure do put an interesting twist of thinking on this story. At face value, it does sound very romantic, but delve a little deeper...What is the true meaning of feeling connected with your significant other? Is it gifts? (although those can be nice at times) Is it fortune? Is it materialism that makes us truly happy? Or... is it in the quiet of the dawn where we surrender our time to write our sweetheart an exclusive all entailed love letter? Or, whisper to him in the shrouded dark, hands molded together, all the explicit things things you love about him in delicate detail. Or let her possess the one elusive key to your heart that contains your thoughts, dreams, and desires. Blind sacrafice will profit you nothing in the end, if you have not the direction of compassion and communication. This is essentially senseless "mind reading". True sacrifice is one where the conclusion is greater than where you began the journey.

Lucy and Anonymous Person: Thanks so much for responding, and I admire your enthusiasm. However, I disagree. Perhaps this is what Emerson had in mind when he said "Rings and jewels are not gifts but apologies for gifts. The only true gift is a portion of yourself." What we own - combs, watches, hair, even pennies - are not really part of us. I see nothing but heartache in the sequel.

D2 - sorry to be so long responding but some thought was necessary, and sometimes thinking just takes time. You have said very well what I happen to think. Material things don't make us happy. The act of giving makes us happy, but it doesn't last. What you describe, "whisper to him in the shrouded dark, hands molded together, all the explicit things you love about him in delicate detail," that is a true gift, that is a true act of love, an act of true love, selfless, something that will be treasured and remembered forever, because that gift - communicating so honestly, becoming so vulnerable - changes two lives and bonds two lives in ways that no comb or watch fob could.