29 gifts- a quick overview

I thought I'd take a minute to recap my first 4 days of the giving challenge, before moving on to day #5.

As I stated before, the challenge is all about giving with pure intent & mindful purpose. You should seek out an opportunity to give each day, rather than planning in advance. I'll go ahead & admit, that was pretty challenging for me the first couple of days. Not because I wasn't given the opportunity... and not even because I didn't act on those opportunities, but because I felt like what I could give wasn't significant enough. Even though I read the book & thoroughly understand the challenge, and the fact that gifts can be small & that doesn't make them less valuable or meaningful. I guess I naturally doubt myself, & this is something I'm working on alongside this challenge.

 The book also talks about how important it is to not only give, but to be open to receiving as well. Of course we should never give with the intent of expecting something in return, however we do need to realize that receiving is part of the giving process. I don't necessarily believe that when we give more we receive more...& that's not at all what this is about, however when we do good for others I do believe we are blessed in return. I don't care what anyone says, I truly do believe that the world can be a better place and that change starts with individual people like us who have the desire to make things better. It's such a simple concept.

Yesterday while at the farmer's market with my family, I seen the people who own the produce stand near our home. They immediately recognized me as the girl who gave them the thank you card. They thanked me again, talked to us for a couple of minutes and sent us on our way with the items we purchased, as well as a bag of free stuff, just to show their appreciation for the gesture. It felt great to know that the card meant that much to them, & this reassured me that my gift, while it had seemed small after the fact,  WAS significant to them, and that's what this is all about.