In which yesterday was a bit trying
For reasons that are so dull I won't even begin to torment you with them, yesterday was a bit poo. One of those gray, blah days that aren't dramatic or truly awful, just a bit poo for lots of small, niggling reasons. And then a reader emailed me and absolutely made my month. I hope to be able to share the content of what she sent--they are photographs that are really stunning and I'm waiting on permission to post them--but I could not wait to blog about how wonderful it is to get something unexpected. And I wonder, who in your life could stand a little wonderful? Is there someone you could let bask in your approval for just a bit? It could be an email, a note, a phone call; two minutes out of your day to say to someone else "You're fab. I just wanted you to know I noticed."
Lately I've been musing on the notion of giving what you lack. It's a terrifying principle, really, but it fits perfectly with my notions of how things happen to work in the universe. (See Shinn, Florence Scovel.) The idea is that if you are lacking in money, give some away. If you are lacking in time to yourself, give your time to someone else. If you think you have nothing to wear, donate some clothing. The rationale behind this is that whatever you think you lack, you're probably wrong. We live in a state of abundance that we often cannot recognize because we're too busy comparing ourselves to those we think are more successful. We perceive ourselves as lacking, but in giving we discover that we aren't lacking at all. It's our perception that is wrong, not our situation. Interesting concept, no?
And since so many folks seem to struggle with feeling undervalued or underappreciated, I thought it might be nice to consider putting value and appreciation out there because it just might find its way back to you. And if you need a little something to warm you up, please know that I appreciate you madly. No, really. I am tremendously pleased to have so many readers who drop by my little corner of the blogosphere, and I thank you for sharing a few minutes each day here. I'm already thinking of a few others I can appreciate today, how about you? Drop a comment in the blog if you like, letting me know who in your life--teacher, child, yoga instructor, nanny, child, whoever--you plan on appreciating today. I'd love to know!
And if you are in the Newport News area, I am signing TODAY at the Barnes and Noble on Jefferson! Details on the "Tours" section of the "Author" page of the blog. I will be there from 2-4 and would be thrilled to see you there!
Lately I've been musing on the notion of giving what you lack. It's a terrifying principle, really, but it fits perfectly with my notions of how things happen to work in the universe. (See Shinn, Florence Scovel.) The idea is that if you are lacking in money, give some away. If you are lacking in time to yourself, give your time to someone else. If you think you have nothing to wear, donate some clothing. The rationale behind this is that whatever you think you lack, you're probably wrong. We live in a state of abundance that we often cannot recognize because we're too busy comparing ourselves to those we think are more successful. We perceive ourselves as lacking, but in giving we discover that we aren't lacking at all. It's our perception that is wrong, not our situation. Interesting concept, no?
And since so many folks seem to struggle with feeling undervalued or underappreciated, I thought it might be nice to consider putting value and appreciation out there because it just might find its way back to you. And if you need a little something to warm you up, please know that I appreciate you madly. No, really. I am tremendously pleased to have so many readers who drop by my little corner of the blogosphere, and I thank you for sharing a few minutes each day here. I'm already thinking of a few others I can appreciate today, how about you? Drop a comment in the blog if you like, letting me know who in your life--teacher, child, yoga instructor, nanny, child, whoever--you plan on appreciating today. I'd love to know!
And if you are in the Newport News area, I am signing TODAY at the Barnes and Noble on Jefferson! Details on the "Tours" section of the "Author" page of the blog. I will be there from 2-4 and would be thrilled to see you there!
Comments
I teach elementary age school
I teach elementary age school children with Autism and I plan on spending some extra time with one of my students that has been having a hard time lately. It turns out that all he wants to do is jump on the play structure with me. I am glad to do this as I can open an avenue of communication with him that may last for the rest of his school experience with me. Thanks for your inspiring me to extend my self.
I think that it isn't giving
I think that it isn't giving something away but sharing what I have. Sharing your appreciation of life
I have an informal policy of
I have an informal policy of giving away money when I feel I the pinch. It also helps by restraining the shopping urge. I've also recently discovered, now that I think about it, to make food for other people when I think I have nothing to eat (read: I'm too lazy to cook much) - my food is inevitably better when I cook for others, and I'm motivated to build my repertoire. But I hadn't thought of the giving away clothes idea. I think my wardrobe is due for the purge and my thriftshop due for a donation.And I do appreciate having an unread book sitting on my bookshelf, waiting for a deliciously rainy day to curl up on the couch with it. I like authors you can trust to produce good books.
If you're so inclined, would
If you're so inclined, would you be willing to put in a word for the Guys Lit Wire's book drive for two underfunded reservation schools?http://guyslitwire.blogspot.com/2010/04/making-difference-one-book-at-ti...It's all explained in the post at the address above. I think many of us, myself included, tend to forget there are many who aren't lucky enough to have a well-funded library or ebook readers or even access to the Internet.
A lovely idea indeed. I was
A lovely idea indeed. I was wallowing a bit myself in a perplexing situation and I think this will help to at least channel my thoughts elsewhere. I'm off to the gym, so I'll tell my zumba teacher that her class rocks!
Today I think I'll start by
Today I think I'll start by appreciating the maintenance man at our complex. He's always out there, rain or shine, tinkering away or picking up garbarge, for probably not enough money. I'm going to tell him how much I admire the good job he does.What a lovely idea, Deanna.Laura
What a wonderful thought for
What a wonderful thought for the day. Thanks for sharing!
Giving what you think you
Giving what you think you lack - I know it works, with emotions at least - things like appreciation and respect. I've proved it to myself. The hard part, I find, is being willing to accept good stuff from people that I've thought of as really nasty - somehow it's easier to feel wronged than to admit that I was wrong....