The holidays are a time to enjoy our families...give thanks for all we have and maybe remind ourselves of others who may not be as fortunate. Don't get me wrong..I am behind in my mortgage....have no idea of how I'm going to buy Christmas presents...and I am desparately trying to forgive fate for this truly shitty year it has given me both financially and emotionally! But....every year around this time I try to give extra to the food pantry....and try to make gift bags for children with coloring books, crayons, and holiday pencils.
I feel bad because each year I feel as though I have less and less to give....which brings me back to Joel who stated " When you live to give you will have more joy than you dreamed possible!" How true this statement felt to me...I had just finished helping my daughter Mikki serve food to the homeless that night...and my heart was open and how perfect to come across a book I had by Joel and turned to the chapter on giving!
I would like to share a few things that I read that night:
*We were not made to function as self-involved people..we were created to be givers...we will never be truly fulfilled as human beings until we learn the simple secret of how to give our life away...
*If we want our dreams to come to pass...we need to help someone else fulfill his or her dreams...
*Don't feel like you have nothing to give....give a smile...give a hug...visit someone who is ill or alone
*Wake up everyday and say "I'm going to make somebody else happy today!"
*It is human nature to hold on to things we no longer really use...unclasp your sticky fingers...give away those baby clothes...books you already read...those duplicate gifts such as pots and pans...
*Giving is a spiritual principle....not necessarily a Christian principle...
*Somebody needs what you have to give...it may not be your money...it may not be your time...but it might be your listening ear...your arms to hug and encourage....your smile to uplift someones spirit...
*Your arm around someone might just let them know that you care and this can help begin to heal that persons heart...a rescue hug...
*You don't know what one word of encouragement might do...you don't know the impact just one simple act of kindness might have...
*Keep your heart of compassion open...be on the lookout for people you can bless...
My blog friends...so many of you have been there for me through my ups and downs...I haven't personally met any of you...heck I don't even know what half of you look like...and yet when I needed encouragement...you were there...when I needed prayer...you were there...and when I just needed to talk you listened!
So think...who can you bless today...please leave a comment on what you do around the holidays for others...or share if you have blessed anyone lately...or maybe you yourself has been blessed lately!
Hello my friend ;o) What a beautiful post Deb! I love the bags you are making! You know, I was thinking, maybe some of the aceo's I gave you, can go in them? I think the kids would like them ;o) I try to give as much as I can, all the time! Just the type of person I am ;o) Actually, I just sent something in the mail, to someone for a surprise ;o) I hope they like it! Big Hugs Deb!!
ReplyDeleteStacy...you are such a good person...I think that is a great idea...the kids will love a small piece of art!
ReplyDeletep.s. thank you for reading this post...I know it was kinda' longg...hehe...sometimes I get carried away!
I teared up reading this... all so true! Thank you for sharing!!! I'm going to do some extra giving this weekend because lately I've been wrapped up in soothing myself (how selfish!) and you've reminded me how good it feels to give!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post, Deborah! Your heart is so full of warmth and kindness. I have always been fond of Joel Osteen. He is so gracious and uplifting, it does not matter what your religious or spiritual preference, one can't deny his beauty as a human being. Thank you for sharing such wonder. Hugs, Mina
ReplyDeletesuch a lovely post.
ReplyDeletemade me feel good.
i try to give and share..as bad off as i am, i know there are others worse off( didn't know it was possible!!!LOL)..i digress,there is always something we can give to someone else in need,and it doesn't have to cost a thing!!
xoxo
Hey Deb ;o) Happy you thought it was a good idea ;o) I would love to share them with the kids ;o) You didn't get carried away ;o) Great post my friend ;o) Hugs ;o)
ReplyDeletejust wanted to leave a note to let you know that you are all in my heart!!! xo
ReplyDelete