Karen,

It seems to me that I exaggerated a bit in following your advice about unwanted presents when throwing away a small clock, which I considered to be useless for me although it was a Christmas present from my father.

I never felt any joy for the clock and when I had been opening the Christmas parcel I felt really disappointed in receiving a stupid small - but quite valuable - clock. For the next years I put the clock on my shelf and I always remembered my disappointment when looking at it. So I thought it was the best idea to throw it away.

Since then I still feel really sorry (not guilty!!) and tears come into my eyes every time I remember that I threw this small useless clock away (while I don´t even remember all the other things I also threw away at this occasion).

Making up my mind why I still feel so sorry for having thrown the clock away, I remembered something I had completely forgotten before: I remembered that my Mum commented "This year, Dad really made an effort in selecting your Christmas presents." I think my Mum had noticed - or anticipated - my disappointment. It is a common fact within our family, that Dad is not too good in selecting Christmas presents, but it seems that he had been really trying to do his very best in this particular year.

Do you have an idea how I can 'undo' what I did to this small stupid clock? Shall I buy a new one to replace it? Is there any ceremony to let the universe know that I feel sorry, that I made a mistake and that I deeply regret it?

Your advice would be highly appreciated.

- Kind Regards, S., Switzerland

Karen's reply:

The thing to remember about gifts is that it is the thought that counts. The object itself is not important. Receive the love that came with the gift and then it doesn't matter if you keep the object or let it go.

The true issue here is not the clock at all but your relationship with your father. Tell him more often that you love him. That is a far better way of showing you appreciate him than by keeping a 'stupid, small clock' you don't even like, that reminded you every time you saw it of how disappointed you were when you opened it.

Also take a long look at yourself to see if you have a pattern of 'being disappointed by people', especially men. Resolve this issue (through doing rebirthing or vivation, for example). This will enable you to get to a much deeper level of why throwing this clock away has bugged you so much and will help you improve all your relationships into the bargain.