Well, I guess I haven't been so great at daily journalling these days. I've continued on the path of daily giving and feel like I am reaping the rewards. Everyday that I give, I receive so much in return...most of which cannot be measured. I started out giving monetary things, which I discovered was really the easy way out for me. I'm not rich by any means, but found that giving things that didn't cost very much was an easy give for me.
As I examined my giving, I realized that giving my time and attention were the harder things for me to give. With that revelation, I decided that was the direction I wanted to go with my giving challenge. I began to find ways to give of myself in bigger ways. I gave time to a friend. A lengthy phone call that I previously would have been too impatient to give. I visited with a neighbor who is an introvert. Something I have thought of doing for a LONG time now, just really never found the time to do.
I find that each day I am excited to give more and more of myself to others. I have gained patience and understanding that I don't think I would have gained had it not been for accepting this challenge.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Days 6, 7 and 8
This week has been quite a whirlwind, to say the least.
I started fitness bootcamp on Monday evening and it was just what I needed. The name of the bootcamp is "Turning Point"...how's that for a good name? It sure fits me and where I am in my life right now.
On Monday (Day 6), I paid for a meal for the person behind me in line at McDonald's. I love giving without seeing the actual return...makes me feel like I'm definitely doing it for the right reasons.
On Tuesday (Day 7), I gave advice to a woman staying at our homeless shelter where I work. She was having difficulty finding a job and keeping her head up. I overheard her talking on the phone and could tell she was very frustrated and feeling pretty low. I went into the hallway and asked her to come to my office. I then told her that I'd had a lot of jobs in my life and at one point I hired people. We went over what she does when she's going in for an interview, and things that she shouldn't do. It look all of 20 minutes of my time to talk with her, but I know she left feeling better about her prospects. I hope to hear that she's found a job very soon.
Today (Day 8), I brought home a movie and sat with my girls and watched it...giving them my undivided attention. It's rare that I just sit and watch a movie. Usually I'm on the computer, phone, jumping up to clean, do laundry or start dinner. I watched the movie and sat with them with purpose, soaking up this time that will go by way too fast for all of us.
I started fitness bootcamp on Monday evening and it was just what I needed. The name of the bootcamp is "Turning Point"...how's that for a good name? It sure fits me and where I am in my life right now.
On Monday (Day 6), I paid for a meal for the person behind me in line at McDonald's. I love giving without seeing the actual return...makes me feel like I'm definitely doing it for the right reasons.
On Tuesday (Day 7), I gave advice to a woman staying at our homeless shelter where I work. She was having difficulty finding a job and keeping her head up. I overheard her talking on the phone and could tell she was very frustrated and feeling pretty low. I went into the hallway and asked her to come to my office. I then told her that I'd had a lot of jobs in my life and at one point I hired people. We went over what she does when she's going in for an interview, and things that she shouldn't do. It look all of 20 minutes of my time to talk with her, but I know she left feeling better about her prospects. I hope to hear that she's found a job very soon.
Today (Day 8), I brought home a movie and sat with my girls and watched it...giving them my undivided attention. It's rare that I just sit and watch a movie. Usually I'm on the computer, phone, jumping up to clean, do laundry or start dinner. I watched the movie and sat with them with purpose, soaking up this time that will go by way too fast for all of us.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Day 5 - Give One on One Time
On Day 5, it was Sunday, a day of rest. I spent the day with my family doing a lot of nothing...just resting, watching movies, then dinner with our extended family. I specifically spent a lot of one on one time with my seven year old daughter. She is the funniest thing! My oldest was invited to the lake with friends, so that left just my husband, myself and our 7 year old at home.
I'm always amazed at how funny and entertaining this child is. She's the tough cookie, the clown, the ball of energy and the sweet cuddly one...all rolled into a four foot 50 lb frame! Sassy would be the word to describe this child. Her hair is a dirty blond, that seems to get a little darker each year and her eyes are a beautiful replica of her fathers...mostly green with flecks of blue and even a little brown and grey. It's a strange combination that changes with what she is wearing that day.
As we watched a movie in my bedroom, she learned that she could flip over my vertical body and, with my help, land on the floor on her feet. Over and over she flipped and flipped, squealing with delight and making me laugh so hard.
What a fun, lazy day!
I'm always amazed at how funny and entertaining this child is. She's the tough cookie, the clown, the ball of energy and the sweet cuddly one...all rolled into a four foot 50 lb frame! Sassy would be the word to describe this child. Her hair is a dirty blond, that seems to get a little darker each year and her eyes are a beautiful replica of her fathers...mostly green with flecks of blue and even a little brown and grey. It's a strange combination that changes with what she is wearing that day.
As we watched a movie in my bedroom, she learned that she could flip over my vertical body and, with my help, land on the floor on her feet. Over and over she flipped and flipped, squealing with delight and making me laugh so hard.
What a fun, lazy day!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Day 4 - Give to myself/ my family
On Day 4, I gave to myself, and in return, my family. I am giving myself the gift of health by starting bootcamp on MOnday. On Day 4, I went and paid for the bootcamp and met with the instructor. While I know this exercise is about giving to others, I'm going to count this one since I have such a hard time giving to myself and this will have a ripple affect on my loved ones.
I have spent so many years out of shape and getting fat. For someone who was effortlessly thin for 20 years, that's a hard thing to watch yourself do. I have never been athletic, never had to watch what I ate...until I had children...then, that was all she wrote for the nice figure.
I have friends who are doing the bootcamp with excellent results, so I'm jumping on the bandwagon on Monday for the next 4-week session. Wish me luck!
I have spent so many years out of shape and getting fat. For someone who was effortlessly thin for 20 years, that's a hard thing to watch yourself do. I have never been athletic, never had to watch what I ate...until I had children...then, that was all she wrote for the nice figure.
I have friends who are doing the bootcamp with excellent results, so I'm jumping on the bandwagon on Monday for the next 4-week session. Wish me luck!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Day 3 - Give Pastries from Panera Bread
Today I lunched with my friend at Panera Bread. I adore their tomato/mozzarella sandwich...and of course their pastries are wonderful! I've been trying to take my mom because I know that she will love their sweets like I do. Today, after I ate my meal, I went and filled a box up with pastries to take by my parent's house on my way home from work. It was hard watching that box sit on my chair in my office and not dive into it!
When I stopped by my parents, they got right into the box! That's a small "give" since I would have done that regardless...but then again the only thing I've done so far that I normally wouldn't do is lay out a lavish tip (I always tip well, but not lavishly).
I'm going to make an effort to get outside my comfort zone and give things that I normally would not give....after all, isn't that what this exercise is all about?
When I stopped by my parents, they got right into the box! That's a small "give" since I would have done that regardless...but then again the only thing I've done so far that I normally wouldn't do is lay out a lavish tip (I always tip well, but not lavishly).
I'm going to make an effort to get outside my comfort zone and give things that I normally would not give....after all, isn't that what this exercise is all about?
Making Some Changes
As I'm doing this 29 Day Giving exercise, I am reflecting on my life and things I need to change. It has already made me more calm, if that's the right word. I'm catching myself going through my day with an attitude of giving and openness versus one of indifference. Sometimes I find that I try not to interact with people....choosing to say little to people I don't know throughout my day.
Just yesterday, I told my youngest daughter that she has the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen. This is something I often think when I look at her sweet little pixie face, but don't usually verbalize. Her face lit up with a smile that made my day. Such a small give, that obviously meant so much.
Okay, to continue with the changes, I am going to officially take the bootcamp challenge beginning Monday. Some friends have been doing a local bootcamp and their results (inches lost, new found energy, endurance) are very motivating. I've been using every excuse in the book as to why I haven't joined yet....my high blood pressure, the extreme heat, I'd be the fattest one there, you name it...I've said it to myself. The truth is, I'm tired of being tired and fat. I used to be skinny and healthy and I'm angry at myself for spending the past 12 years fat. It's made me someone that I'm not. My kids are getting older and busier and I don't want to embarrass them by not being able to keep up.
There. I said it. NOW I HAVE TO DO IT!
Just yesterday, I told my youngest daughter that she has the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen. This is something I often think when I look at her sweet little pixie face, but don't usually verbalize. Her face lit up with a smile that made my day. Such a small give, that obviously meant so much.
Okay, to continue with the changes, I am going to officially take the bootcamp challenge beginning Monday. Some friends have been doing a local bootcamp and their results (inches lost, new found energy, endurance) are very motivating. I've been using every excuse in the book as to why I haven't joined yet....my high blood pressure, the extreme heat, I'd be the fattest one there, you name it...I've said it to myself. The truth is, I'm tired of being tired and fat. I used to be skinny and healthy and I'm angry at myself for spending the past 12 years fat. It's made me someone that I'm not. My kids are getting older and busier and I don't want to embarrass them by not being able to keep up.
There. I said it. NOW I HAVE TO DO IT!
Day 2 - Give a Generous Tip
On Day 2, I thought all day about my give. In the afternoon, I called to make an appointment for a long-overdue haircut. I'm very slack about getting a haircut...or taking care of myself in general (which is something I am vowing to change). The last haircut I had was probably six months ago, and it was a quick dry cut of the ends by a friend.
I had a gift card to the nicest spa in town I'd been sitting on since my birthday in September, so I called there to make the appointment. Unbelievably, there was an opening at 5, so I was able to get it done the same day!
Ken, my hairdresser, was a super nice guy and friendly enough. He took extra time shampooing and giving my scalp that good 'ole massage. As I sat there, I thought, I'm gonna give him an extra good tip as my gift for today!
So, I finished up, looking fabulous with my new haircut and went to the front desk to pay. I sure hope it made Ken happy to get that very large tip! It sure made me happy to give it to him!
I had a gift card to the nicest spa in town I'd been sitting on since my birthday in September, so I called there to make the appointment. Unbelievably, there was an opening at 5, so I was able to get it done the same day!
Ken, my hairdresser, was a super nice guy and friendly enough. He took extra time shampooing and giving my scalp that good 'ole massage. As I sat there, I thought, I'm gonna give him an extra good tip as my gift for today!
So, I finished up, looking fabulous with my new haircut and went to the front desk to pay. I sure hope it made Ken happy to get that very large tip! It sure made me happy to give it to him!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Day 1 Give- Watering the Garden
Okay, today's give is not a big one...but sometimes the little things mean the most. Today, I spent over an hour watering my hubby's garden and our plants outside in 103 degree weather. You see, my hubby works outside all day and I didn't want him to come home and have to do it himself. Usually, he doesn't get home until 8pm or so these days....this North Carolina heat is killer in the summertime!
I also did some weeding, picked the tomatoes and made everything look all nice and neat just the way he likes it. I was hot, hot, hot when I got done, even breaking into a sweat...something I don't enjoy doing!
I also did some weeding, picked the tomatoes and made everything look all nice and neat just the way he likes it. I was hot, hot, hot when I got done, even breaking into a sweat...something I don't enjoy doing!
29 Days of Giving
I just finished the book 29 Days of Giving by Cami Walker. I read it over the weekend while at the beach....perfect place to reflect and read a book like this. The book is about how 29 days of giving to others can change your life. Simple concept. The author, Cami Walker, is very inspiring. She suffers with MS and her spiritual teacher basically told her to stop feeling sorry for herself and give consciously to others each day for 29 days and to keep a journal along the way.
Another part of the 29 Days of Giving is to make affirmations daily. So, for this giving exercise, my intent is: To give to others with absolutely no expectation of anything in return.
I know part of this exercise will be about looking inside myself and finding ways to give in this way, and it will not be easy. You see, I think that all of us are so predispositioned to see further than one act. I think that even on an unconscious level, almost every act we participate in is on some level expected to return something to us...whether it be love of another, a favor at another time or even good karma. You see, giving with no expectation of anything in return will likely be harder than a "simple exercise".
We shall see....
Another part of the 29 Days of Giving is to make affirmations daily. So, for this giving exercise, my intent is: To give to others with absolutely no expectation of anything in return.
I know part of this exercise will be about looking inside myself and finding ways to give in this way, and it will not be easy. You see, I think that all of us are so predispositioned to see further than one act. I think that even on an unconscious level, almost every act we participate in is on some level expected to return something to us...whether it be love of another, a favor at another time or even good karma. You see, giving with no expectation of anything in return will likely be harder than a "simple exercise".
We shall see....
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