Announcing a New Contest, What does 29gifts Mean to Me? Congratulations to the Winners 1st~ Ashleigh 2nd~AmyH 3rd~ Robin

[Deb~ Community Manager]

I am running a contest this month. Answer the question, What 29 gifts Means to Me in a comment below.

For many this site has become a home, a sanctuary, a social gathering of like minds. It is an uplifting site that we can use to share our thoughts about the lessons we learn on this giving journey. To enter the contest just enter your thoughts on the comments below. Administrators of the site will judge these comments and pick 3 winners.

The grand prize will be HEART IS HOT Hearts.

HEART IS HOT hearts are made of 100% recycled glass gathered around the world, making this product a true gift to Mother Earth.

 

Second Place prize will be 29 Gifts Love Bird and Gift Tags (set of 29) 
This cute little Love Bird will help you send a message of love to a friend or family member.
Join us in a fun game of Gift Tag. Write a kind message on the front of the card and affix it to your gifts 

Third Place prize will be Affirmation Pendant and Gift Tags (set of 29)
This dainty pendant includes the image of a tree to represent change and growth and birds to symbolize freedom.
Join us in a fun game of Gift Tag. Write a kind message on the front of the card and affix it to your gifts

CONTEST RULES:
For a chance to win one of the three prizes in What Does 29 Gifts Means To Me, leave a comment on this thread by midnight February 28, 2013 PST. You must be a 29Gifts.org member to enter, but membership is free and no purchase is required. Winners will be judged by administrators of the site. Only one comment per member counted. Winners will be announced March 10, 2013, on this discussion thread. Winners will be contacted for shipping information. If winner does not respond within 14 days, a new winner will be chosen from the original entries.

[Linda]

I LOVE a good contest! 

When I first joined 29gifts, it was during the holiday season, during which I typically struggle with many issues. My commitment to 29 days of giving kept me so busy and engaged, the month flew by without much thought to things that usually weigh me down. Also, I found out that I am a fairly good and engaging writer, a gift/talent I never realized I had! 

Since that time, I've connected with quite a few other members and even met a few in person! Some are still a significant part of my life today; some I will just remember with love and joy for whatever interactions we had. All in all, I've never been a part of such a supportive and loving community and it has enriched my life beyond all measure......

XOXO

[EnergyDani]

29 gifts to me - is creative, inventive, and innovative in knowing how to engage its members so they transition out of a victim mentality to an empowered giving mentality discovering strength they never knew they had. There's no feeling greater than gratitude ... Which always makes ur heart filled with LOVE.

[Robin]

When I first read 29 Gifts, it inspired me to think of each day in a different light.  Every day, could I intentionally and purposefully give a gift to someone else?  I don't just mean do something sort of nice and then remember it later and think 'wow, I'm glad I did that.'  I mean to look for opportunities every day to give to others in an above and beyond way.  Now, everyday is a challenge.  The world and all the people in it are no longer rushing by me, ignored.  I look for ways to give a gift to others.

[rita]

What 29 gifts Means to Me: It means a safe place to share highs and lows. It is a forum to freely give and receive gifts of support from our fellow members. Giving is becoming the default to success in personal and professional relationships and I tend to think it all started with Cami's book - Rita

[Nancy O'Donnell]

When  I first joined I looked at it as a great way to declutter and downsize and pass on beautiful things as well. At first I started by taking out fashion magazines and giving them to women friends who couldn't afford them.

Now I see it as a total philosophy of detaching from material things and opening my heart. I'm learning so much. Thank you all for your service.

I just want to keep on learning more.

[Ashleigh]

To me 29 Gifts is what saved my life. 
I have been in such a dark place the past couple of years. I've had 14 people die that I absolutely adored. Now I have 14 guardian angles.
For a while, I was so depressed that I wouldn't even get out of bed. I would have flashbacks of the car accident that I saw that killed my best friend, I had such a hard time wanting to be around anyone, and I even tried to kill myself at one point. I hated feeling that way, but there was nothing I could do about it. I have been through so much, I just couldn't keep avoiding my grief. It was drowning me. 
When I learned about 29 Gifts from my teacher, I thought I would give it a shot.  
After I started, I realized how much it helped me. Every time I would have a bad thought, or not want to sleep at night, or wake up from a nightmare, I would start to think about the next gift I could give. It took my mind off things and calmed me down, it was absolutely remarkable. 

I'm not all the way better yet, but I cannot even begin to explain how much 29 Gifts has truly changed and saved my life. 
I am so thankful for everything it has brought to me and helped me through. 

 

[Jacquie]

This is a wonderful way to share giving from the heart in February.   I have started with Valentines to friends and loved ones now on to even bigger things.
Happy Giving! :)

 

 

[Sharyl]

I am a work in progress.  I strive to live my life with purpose and with joy.  It's not always easy, but 29 Gifts has been an inspiration to me in so many ways.  Reading Cami's book changed me in such a positive way.  I also have MS and it's difficult not to feel resentful and filled with self-pity at times.  I realized that so many people are dealing with challenges out there and it's my attitude that will make the difference as to whether or not this disease will beat me.  I have always felt good giving freely and enjoyed making people smile, but I didn't realize there is an art to receiving as well.  I also have a broader definition of what a gift is these days as well.  It doesn't have to be a grand gesture.  I'm learning.  I am a work in progress!

[rocken nana wwt]

This site has been a real blessing to me.  It has said so many prayers when I need them and I can almost feel them all.  I have received many friendships from here and some have evolved to really true and loving friendship and like family.  I along with a few others have started a night of tea during DWTS's and get on site and visit back and forth.  It gives us a chance to critique the dancers and to make our friendships stronger.  We are always busy, but we all take time for each other too.  It is a wonderful site and I have been here 3 years and still going and giving.  I am on the welcome wagon team and it is a wonderful group of people.  We all love and help each other, plus we get to meet the new members first and give them a good welcome and help if they need it.  I would hate to loose this site, but if I would loose it I know the friends I have made here are forever friends and we would keep in touch.  Thank you for this site and Love to all d

[Lefty]

To me, 29 Gifts is where I go to find positivity, kindness and support.  So often in this world, we are bombarded with negativity, either on a global or personal scale.  When you come here, you read about kindnesses given and when you blog, people give you a pat on the back.  It is easy to feel connected to others on this site.  I have felt a deep sense of caring from many people here.  I love reading other people's gifts and being inspired by them or simply admiring them or maybe even "stealing" them!  29 Gifts is like a soft place to land.  

[AmyH]

To me, 29 Gifts Means Love and Sharing and Gratitude.  I have struggled with Depression all my life.  Reading Cami's book was life-changing and immediately inspired me to give.  Could I do it?  For the whole 29 days?  What about after that?  My answer I found was YES, I could!  But I found so much more!  Happiness began to replace the dark and lonely area where depression had resided.  To see someone smile in surprise as an unexpected gift was placed in their hands truly warmed my heart and put a smile on my face.  I wanted to give more...and more!  I come to this site almost daily.  It uplifts me to see a whole community coming together to do wonderful things for others.  I have recommended this book and given this book as a gift.  It brought tears to one person's eyes, as it is such a personal gift.  It is so neat and fulfilling to see how the love and sharing spreads.  And it makes everyone's day just a little more brighter! - Amy

[Deb~ Community Manager]

I agree, Amy!