So Christmas is done and the new year is around the corner. Well 4 days actually. This past week I have racked my brain trying to figure out what I did this past year that I would want to do better or different this year. To be honest I cant think of one thing I would change.
Now that's not to say I wouldn't change anything. Its just there isn't anything memorable this past year I would do different. Like most people I have my New Year Resolutions. Like 1. Quit Smoking. 2. Exercise. and so on and so forth. However to look back and say I want to change this or I wish I could do that over again I just have no idea what that one thing would be. I mean sure I had plenty of cool things happen this past year. My kids turned another year older, my husband got a promotion, I finally got my house in order and got a "new car" (well Van actually), but to say I would do anything different is a stretch.
I guess what I am getting at is that this year what I will do different is to make the most out of my year and to enjoy the little things in my life and my families. We are finally making time to have a "family day". This is a day where we as a family go out and explore the world together. We will fish, hike, hunt, camp and really enjoy each others company without the use of "electronics" to distract us from the rest of the family. I want to make sure I make time for each of my family members and enjoy their company as an individual away from the distractions of the others. Such as a mother-daughter day, or a day where me and my oldest go to the park and practice his soccer. Finally me and my husband will have a chance to go out on a date night other than our anniversary.
What is your reason for bettering yourself this coming year. Is it for self image, better family time, to better yourself as a person (husband, wife, brother, sister, ect.). Maybe your reason is to make your family better or to help others. Whatever your reason is make sure it is a good one and for the right, well for lack of a better word, reason. I hope you find what you want in this new year and I hope it helps you find who you are in this life. Never for one moment think you always have next year because you never know what life has in store and next year or next month, next week, or even tomorrow is promised to us. Love yourself, love your family, and most important embrace those around you and make your life positive. Throw away the negative in your life. Be it people, friends, jobs, or objects. Make this next year one to remember and always, always keep an eye out on yours truly, Yourself. Much Love and Happiness in the new year and may you and yours have a memorable one.
P.S. Please comment on what you want to change and how you think you can change it. If you don't know how maybe others will have an idea on how to help you. Remember you are not alone out there and others (even if they are strangers) just might have the right answer.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
The Open Ended Giver
I would like to start this post off by stating that this is NOT a post about gifts or what to buy or where to buy it. This is NOT a post telling you what you should get your sweetheart or your mother-in-law.
No, this post is about the spirit of giving and what it means to give.
Some believe that in order to give you must receive, or vice versa. I believe we should give no matter what and let it sort its self out in the end.
I am an open ended giver. I give when I can, what I can and however I can. I don't expect a gift in return. A simple thank you will suffice. With that being said, I do of course like to receive a gift every now and again. Then again who doesn't right? I am not one to boast or brag about what I have done for others nor am I one to point at myself and yell "LOOK AT WHAT I DID!" I am a humble person and I believe that everyone should be humble in one aspect of your life or another.
When I give, I am to give to those in need. Now you are probably saying to yourself "Isn't that the only time you should give is when someone is in need?" No, and here is why. To give a gift or do a chore or just plain do something out of kindness will give you a sense of pride that nothing else on this earth will ever give you.
Lets look at it this way. Your mother is probably pretty mobile. She cleans her own house, does her own laundry and such. Now imagine how proud you will feel when you go over to her house and notice that she has yet to get to the dishes. This is where you take it upon yourself to do them without asking her if she needs you to do it or without her asking you to do them for her. This is a selfless act and what I consider an open ended gift. You expect nothing in return yet you did a great thing for someone you love.
Now remember, being an open ended giver does not stop with just people you know. It goes beyond that to those you don't know and will probably never see again. I'm sure you have all seen the stories on Facebook about the stranger who paid for another persons groceries due to them don't having enough money or for whatever other reason. That is a wonderful thing to do, yet most of us are in a position where we can pay that kind of niceness forward. Wish I could but I cant.
Like I said before I don't like to boast or brag but I want to give you five examples of giving that I have done that might inspire you the next time you are out or you want to help others just for the hell of it. Just so you understand this thought process I am having (since it seems to me I am rambling) some of these things are big while others are minuet and minuscule.
1. Volunteer somewhere even if it just one day a month. ( I use to volunteer for the GERL horse rescue)
2. Help your neighbor carry their groceries inside without question.
3. Hold the door for someone (not just the elderly or disabled either.)
4. Give the homeless guy a few bucks. He may buy food, he may buy alcohol but either way you tried. (And oh my god do not flood me with comments about how the guy may just be a scam artist You use your own discretion Like I said these are just suggestions not rules)
5. Go above and beyond and find that one item you know someone absolutely needs and get it for them. (You can do this for free. I did. I was able to get a service dog donated to a disabled neighbor and good friend of mine for no cost to me except a few gallons of gas and a few hours on the computer)
These are just a few things I do or have done and I will continue to do them as long as I am living and breathing. I believe in karma and I believe whatever you put out will come back three fold. I believe in a world where people actually give a shit about others. (ok that came out sounding really flower child like)
I can not express enough how much of an impact a small simple jester can mean to someone. I have had the greatest highs in my life from doing the things I have done and I have had some of the sadness moments also. All in all I would do it again and again and I will do that even now.
I believe we can all change for the better. In this society of me me me and I I I, it is hard to take time out of your day and help others. Believe me when I say this though, It is completely worth it and your sense of self worth and pride will over whelm you.
And you know what, don't sweat the small stuff, don't worry about what your going to get back or when. Most of all don't worry about being disappointed with who you are because you will know in your heart and your head that you are a good person and you are capable of doing amazing and wonderful things not just for yourself but now for others. Learn to give the benefit of the doubt, learn to understand and compromise. Learn to sacrifice just enough of yourself to make someone else know the joy of having a hot meal, so an animal (someones pet or even a stray) can eat or have the medicine it needs, or even just a bath.
I will stop here or else I could go on and on.
Just remember, What goes around, comes around, and always always remember
IT ALL EQUALS OUT IN THE END.
Love to all.
No, this post is about the spirit of giving and what it means to give.
Some believe that in order to give you must receive, or vice versa. I believe we should give no matter what and let it sort its self out in the end.
I am an open ended giver. I give when I can, what I can and however I can. I don't expect a gift in return. A simple thank you will suffice. With that being said, I do of course like to receive a gift every now and again. Then again who doesn't right? I am not one to boast or brag about what I have done for others nor am I one to point at myself and yell "LOOK AT WHAT I DID!" I am a humble person and I believe that everyone should be humble in one aspect of your life or another.
When I give, I am to give to those in need. Now you are probably saying to yourself "Isn't that the only time you should give is when someone is in need?" No, and here is why. To give a gift or do a chore or just plain do something out of kindness will give you a sense of pride that nothing else on this earth will ever give you.
Lets look at it this way. Your mother is probably pretty mobile. She cleans her own house, does her own laundry and such. Now imagine how proud you will feel when you go over to her house and notice that she has yet to get to the dishes. This is where you take it upon yourself to do them without asking her if she needs you to do it or without her asking you to do them for her. This is a selfless act and what I consider an open ended gift. You expect nothing in return yet you did a great thing for someone you love.
Now remember, being an open ended giver does not stop with just people you know. It goes beyond that to those you don't know and will probably never see again. I'm sure you have all seen the stories on Facebook about the stranger who paid for another persons groceries due to them don't having enough money or for whatever other reason. That is a wonderful thing to do, yet most of us are in a position where we can pay that kind of niceness forward. Wish I could but I cant.
Like I said before I don't like to boast or brag but I want to give you five examples of giving that I have done that might inspire you the next time you are out or you want to help others just for the hell of it. Just so you understand this thought process I am having (since it seems to me I am rambling) some of these things are big while others are minuet and minuscule.
1. Volunteer somewhere even if it just one day a month. ( I use to volunteer for the GERL horse rescue)
2. Help your neighbor carry their groceries inside without question.
3. Hold the door for someone (not just the elderly or disabled either.)
4. Give the homeless guy a few bucks. He may buy food, he may buy alcohol but either way you tried. (And oh my god do not flood me with comments about how the guy may just be a scam artist You use your own discretion Like I said these are just suggestions not rules)
5. Go above and beyond and find that one item you know someone absolutely needs and get it for them. (You can do this for free. I did. I was able to get a service dog donated to a disabled neighbor and good friend of mine for no cost to me except a few gallons of gas and a few hours on the computer)
These are just a few things I do or have done and I will continue to do them as long as I am living and breathing. I believe in karma and I believe whatever you put out will come back three fold. I believe in a world where people actually give a shit about others. (ok that came out sounding really flower child like)
I can not express enough how much of an impact a small simple jester can mean to someone. I have had the greatest highs in my life from doing the things I have done and I have had some of the sadness moments also. All in all I would do it again and again and I will do that even now.
I believe we can all change for the better. In this society of me me me and I I I, it is hard to take time out of your day and help others. Believe me when I say this though, It is completely worth it and your sense of self worth and pride will over whelm you.
And you know what, don't sweat the small stuff, don't worry about what your going to get back or when. Most of all don't worry about being disappointed with who you are because you will know in your heart and your head that you are a good person and you are capable of doing amazing and wonderful things not just for yourself but now for others. Learn to give the benefit of the doubt, learn to understand and compromise. Learn to sacrifice just enough of yourself to make someone else know the joy of having a hot meal, so an animal (someones pet or even a stray) can eat or have the medicine it needs, or even just a bath.
I will stop here or else I could go on and on.
Just remember, What goes around, comes around, and always always remember
IT ALL EQUALS OUT IN THE END.
Love to all.
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