Round 7 - Day 5

[Laura M]

Day 5 (Tuesday 7/17/12):

*  Gave a vase of dried flowers a new life by taking it out of my house to my desk at work where it brightens up the area a bit as something Pretty

*  Started back with freekibble.com's daily email as a way to give every day when I check my email

 

3 things I am grateful for today:

* Getting some not-easy things accomplished at work in what I think was the smoothest way possible

* Leaving work without working late because I felt a little funny and run-down

* Getting a haircut!  After forgetting to schedule one for too long & feeling a little not-so-pretty with my lumpy too-long hair

 

Best to all today--

 

L

 

 

Day 4 (Monday 7/16/12):

* Went to a local bank at lunch time today & made a small donation to the community memorial fund for the family of a local police officer killed in the line of duty by a drunk man over the Memorial Day weekend.

3 things I am grateful for today:

* That I feel enough a part of my community & care enough to have this event affect me, to let it move me to action.

* That I'm free to go to bed early tonight if I wish & I think I will sleep well

* ? Getting my favorite salad at the lunch place today

Peace to you & yours--

L

Day 3 (Sunday 7/15/12):

Had my 1st experience of being a Recipient/Participant on a Pay-it-Forward:  I drove through the Starbucks drive-through on the way to the dog park & when I got to the counter to pay, the guy said, "The gentlmen in front of you has already paid for your drink.  Would you like to pay the $2.86 for the car behind you?"  So of course I said yes & then left what was remaining as the difference as a big tip for the barista.  So it was all the same as what I would have spent on my own.

(I kind of wondered if he'd done that because when we were pulling in, I got there 1st but let him go in the line ahead of me because I was making a left turn in & he had the right-turn right of way & I could have jumped in front if I'd wanted, but I didn't.  Or maybe it was just already going on in the line ahead of him.  None of my business, really--just say thank you--but I did kind of wonder.)

But then I did decide to keep it going in a 2nd direction... I stopped at a muffin place too (not a fan of Starbucks baked goods) & bought a muffin & told the manager there what had just happened at the coffee shop & then decided to leave another $2.26 for a muffin for the next person who came in.  He was on board with it ("oh--paying if forward", he says), and left the money right there on the side of the register nice & handy.

It was fun & actually very exciting... my 1st time with all that.  I think that muffin place might turn into a place I could do that on occasion (not an ice cream shop, but thanks, Island Girl, for the inspiration!)

3 things I am grateful for:

* Take out food when I am too tired to be bothered otherwise

* Making time for spiritual readings on a Sunday

* Time with my Mom when I can see she is getting older & may not be around forever

Day 2 (Saturday 7/14/12);

* Made my donations online to the Red Cross for disaster relief on the 2 big Colorado wildfires.

A little late to the party, you say... ?  Well, this is some of what I mean about those things I always "mean to" do... but don't actually get 'around to" as often or as quickly unless I am in one of these Challenges.  At least, these Challenges make me show up in my world, my life, my community in ways that are very easy for me to forget or ignore or withdrawn from if I'm not making a commitment.  Yes, I can say I've donated to the world around me & to the Red Cross before I heard of the 29Gifts idea... but, for example... I laid down to take a nap tonight & realized that the gift I'd meant to give today did not actually happen & that I might not wake back up before tomorrow started, and so I'd have nothing for Day 2 AND HAVE TO START OVER WHEN I JUST GOT STARTED AGAIN YESTERDAY, so I got up OUT OF BED to come online & give something that I 'meant to' do last month but never did.  Day 2--yep, I did it.

Cross that 'undone' one off the list (this is the kind of thing I meant in describing my Intentions for this round).

Sweet Dreams,

L

PS--3 things I am grateful for today

*  My car passed the emissions test needed to get new license plates for the year

*  I found a great new place to go play with my dog

*  I have money to donate to those who have lost their home while I personally am free for today of the worry of where I will sleep and what I will eat, and I have a running car, and my dog and family are in safe places.  It is enough; in fact, it's plenty.

Day 1 (Friday 7/13/12):

*  Gave a coworker a thank you card for some souvenirs she brought us each back this week from her big fat once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa!

*  Found out it was National French Fry Day (!), got everybody who wanted to go rounded up for the drive-through at McDonald's at lunch time, & brought back a bag or two extra to those who almost went but didn't have money or were too shy to jump on board.  I am proud to have done my Patriotic/Civic Duty today in observing this holiday diligently & thoroughly.  :-)

Intentions for this Round:

I found myself entirely shocked and grateful that I was able to give myself a Big Gift at the end of last round in paying off a monthly bill (student loan) in full... and being willing to let it go and be free of it.

That still was a gift that I gave to myself (not other people) although I absolutely credit the 6 rounds of this Challenge with contributing somehow to the Flow that allowed that to happen.  I almost had to take a break just to absorb that this actually happened in my life & savor the difference.

But it's time to concentrate again on the out-Flow to others.  I find (as I've written before) that what this Challenge does is force me to reach out to others in ways that I might think I'd like to do or that I 'mean' to, but somehow never actually 'get around' to it.

And in this little break since May... boy, there's a lot of things left undone... thank-yous not actually given, events in people's lives that deserve attention but didn't get it... and oh, yeah, that tendency to go back to focusing on MeMeMe without even realizing it.

My intentions this round:

* Finish up the thank-yous that deserve to be said/done

* Come back around to those who have had deaths or losses in their lives who might appreciate a little more comfort or attention than I gave originally

* And as always.... be willing to let go of items in my house that contribute to "clutter" rather than "Beauty/Purpose"

Thanks for being out there & happy giving today and for the weekend,

big hug--

L

[Lois55 wwt]

That has to brighten your space at work, to bring in some color..and feel you have accomplished what you could. I would imagine you feel like a new woman with your hair cut..I know I do when I get one! Have a great evening:)

[Ann]

I am enjoying your posts.  Bet your new haircuat is lovely.  Enjoy your day!

[Deb~ Community Manager]

Lovely gigfts for your day, Laura!