Use things…not people.
”Love people and use things, rather than use people and love things”
I came across this quote earlier this morning. Love it AND it describes so much my feelings lately. Truth be told it seems that many people are a bit down right now due to economic/political schtuff. Yet this seems to flow out in to how they treat people. Fears of not having things seems to lead to crappy treatment of people. 
So I hope to keep my focus on loving people and using things…rather than the reverse. 
Well yesterday I did not really get much of anything on my list done. Lol… I did however spend a half hour rubbing my pups belly and cuddling with him (so that seems like a bit of a gift too) and while at work I tried to view my day as a gift and all I did as a gift. It is probably a good thing I went in with that attitude as well since my coworkers seemed to be having a rough week and there was more drama than needed as is. I wish I could paint the quote above somewhere at work, but alas I must just attempt to demonstrate it myself.
I have yet to decide on today’s gifts…
Taking time to relax…
Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. Seems I have been caught up in other things… I have not been feeling my best.
I have been gifting still, but not doing as well at making it intentional (or getting stuff in the mail for that matter…must make a P.O. run soon. lol). I decided to restart the gifting again at day one to try to focus more on it.
I want to focus more on things that help me to find beauty, joy, and peace right now too. I have had such a hard time relaxing and finding the good in things. So I arose early this morning and have spent the last half hour leaving love on layouts for a scrapbook site. I know how other’s comments can just make my day. I hope someone appreciates all the comments. I am enjoying focusing on this too.
Hope you are having a beautiful day as well.
Day four of gifting…
Well, today started out early. I ended up doing a garage sale again and luckily I made a small amount of dough, but even more of a good thing… I got tons of stuff out of here without hauling it all to goodwill. I am still gonna have to make a run to goodwill later this week, but I feel better about it. My gift today…I gave tons of stuff away at the sale. Yep, when I saw someone was interested in something, but unsure of buying it…I gave it away. I had several families check out childrens books and a young teacher that was interested in them…sent them home with people no charge. Lots of stuff went that way! It was actually a pretty pleasant day outside and it was enjoyable to just hang out and chat with neighbors as they came by.
Also, for those curious… I did submit to see if my resume would be rewritten by the person offering on 29gifts. So sweet of her to give that away to someone! Well, I was not chosen, but it sounds like she picked someone one awesome. I took this also as kind of a sign that I don’t need to attempt to pay to have my resume updated somewhere. I hope one of the jobs I applied for already will work out. I was a bit bummed to hear this, but the reality is I have gives I want to do as well that would be done similarly. I was thinking of making some cards up to give out and had planned to post them this way. Now I think I will make them, and pick someone, offer them to that person, and if the person wants them send them. That way no one has to debate mentally if they should put an application in or something because I feel kind of down after pooring my heart out. Wish I hadn’t even done that… *sigh* and THAT is sooo not why I joined 29 gifts.
Day two of giving…
Today has been much simpler than my first day, but good so far as well. I have found myself lost in thought about various stories I have heard regarding community building/helping others/ or essentially how important giving to each other really is. I hope to share a few here on the blog when I get around to it, but for tonight I plan to keep my blog simple. The one thing that has struck me about the idea of giving though is that…I must be open to receiving as well. It is kind of funny to say that. I know so many people that openly take anything they can, but for me…I feel uncomfortable accepting help sometimes. An opportunity was listed today that sounds like what I need… I will have to think about it. I have been worrying about my resume and getting new job apps in and WISHING I could afford to pay someone to help me with my resume. So of course today, I get on 29 gifts and someone had posted about helping her give. She wants someone to write a resume for. She plans to pick out of the applicants though. So now I feel funny… I don’t want to apply and take it from someone else in some ways… but I could really use that. That is exactly what I have wished for even… *sigh* So I might just write up a note to her soon.
As for my personal gifts. Well, I was home most of the day so not a lot of giving to others in public, but I am making a card and some handmade embellishments for a friend and fellow scrapbooker. We share a love for a certain thing that I have a sizzix die to make die cuts with. I can make thick die cuts with felt and chipboard even so I thought a few to send her would be fun.
I also stopped in a yarn shop to ask about learning to make flowers. I have wanted to for some time and I have TONS of fiber. So I am hopeful I can make flowers to send to friends soon.
My first day of gift giving…
I have been so excited about this idea of giving 29 gifts for 29 days (29gifts.org). I literally arose from bed with my heart filled with excitement to start this today. As I did menial tasks like brushing my teeth and driving to work I mentally noted some ideas for things to give. It even has my creative juices flowing. Kind of funny how I have spent so much of my last few years involved in a creative community that generally just encourages buying and hoarding for me. I am beyond grateful to have found a way to add creativity and inspiration to my day and yet bless others and let go of things. What a beautiful day…I cannot say the day was anymore glorious than normal (ok it probably was a pretty dull day to be honest), but my outlook made it beautiful.
I work in customer service which for many years was a good fit because I love to serve people, but lately I have felt drained and the customers seem needing and my patience is less than it used to be. Today work went so much smoother because I sought each new person as a new way to give gifts. I hope to think I gave a bit more love to coworkers and customers alike and that my day was full of giving.
A few small gifties:
-7 cents to a coworker that needed change (not much I know, but I had it in my pocket and he needed it. )
-Kitten raising suggestions and the offer to help in anyway I can to a coworker that found to newborn kittens and is fostering them. I was really glad she is willing to care for them too… I love kitties, but egad the inn is full. lol!
Check back in tomorrow to see who I give another gift to. If you choose to join 29 gifts, let me know. I would LOVE to see your blog about it.
29 gifts…
I have spent my evening in a funk…well, much of the last month. Just a ton on my mind and I feel overwhelmed in some ways. Then tonight I came across 29gifts.org. What a sweeeet idea…to give away something every day for 29 gifts. I loved reading about the generosity that flowed from that site.
Just reading the forums has greatly lifted my spirits…and so I commit that today is the first of my 29 days. I have not decided what to give away yet, but I am excited about it.
Circus freak attempts garage sale…
Yep I tried to have a garage sale today. Not so successful (would have helped had I gotten out of bed before 9am…note to self). I plan to retry it later on, but for now I am gonna ebay most stuff. Weee….
On more fun news, I found a unicycle in the garage (it once belonged to my brother apparently). So as if the ability to already juggle 5 objects and the desire to learn to slackline didn’t make me enough of a circus clown…yep yep…I spent the last half hour trying to ride a unicycle. So far…so not good…but I do see many many hours of joyous unicycle practice in my future.
Arrrrrrrrrrrrr….
…you ready for national talk like a pirate day? Ha! Well, September 19th is National Talk Like a Pirate Day…as well as my big bro’s bday and it was the due date of my best friend from elementary school’s new little boy. So…wishing you a wonderful Talk Like a Pirate Day, Happy bday to my big bro, and welcome to the world little Jeremiah (in case you were wondering little Jeremiah arrived on Monday )
A few new cards…
Just thought I would share what I have made recently. This first one was just a fun one I made while playing around with my favorite colors. It really fits my personal style (or at least the style of my clothes and decor. )
Thinking of you
Relaxing at home…or trying to at least.
Well, my adorable pup pup was neutered yesterday. Things went OK, but they had some issues with stopping bleeding so he has a lot more bruising and stuff. He has tranquelizers to keep him calm and he is not allowed to run or jump or swim or do his normal Rio pup things. So instead we hang out inside. As medicated as he is, he still flips out if I leave the room….which makes it a rough day for Rio’s mama…looks like I will be learning the finer art of enjoying chilling on a couch all weekend. I have some movies and a laptop to entertain myself though… maybe when he is out enough to not flip out…I will even attempt to find a book or drag crafty supplies out to the couch.
