29 gifts...

I have always believed that one of the best ways to help yourself is to help another. Help those less fortunate and inevitably, you will help yourself in the process. Problem is, this isn't always the easiest thing to remember - or believe - when things feel topsy turvy. It's hard to not give into self-pity and wallowing when things aren't working, at least it is for me. The last few days have been hard for a number of reasons and just when I needed it the most, I got a little reminder of how I can instantly make things better.

Today, I started reading Cami Walker's 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life. The book is an autobiographical account of Cami's fight with MS and a "prescription" a close friend gave her when she was in her lowest life-hating, woe is me stump. The concept was simple: give something away each day for 29 days. The gifts didn't have to be grand or material; they could be as simple as offering a smile or kind word to a strange, but they had to be sincere. The effects, as in Cami's case, were profound. No, it didn't cure her of MS, but she stepped out of herself and realized just how much she has to be grateful for, and it has profoundly helped her cope. 100 pages in, I absolutely adore Cami and I'm inspired to start my own 29 days... and I have!

Today is day one. It was a bit difficult to come up with a gift as I'm at home feeling snotty and phlegmy... BUT I decided to muster up whatever strength I had (not much) and walk one block to deliver flowers to my lovely friend on her birthday. She was on lunch (thankfully, as I didn't want to also give the gift of germs)... but I'm pretty sure they brightened her day just a little. :)

So, faithful reader, I am excited about 28 more days of this! :) If you'd like to participate or read more about the challenge, check out Cami's website: http://givingchallenge.ning.com/

Wouldn't it be grand if thousands of people focused a little bit of their energy each day to giving and being nice... oh, the possibilities!

Thanks for stopping by!

mxo