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!
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