Today's gift wasn't intended as a gift. But, the more I sat in a classroom waxing nostalgic about my own childhood, the more I though that one moment of my day was probably more genuine of a gift than some others in the past week.
I subbed today as an aide for a middle school special-need student. Early on in the day, she says to me,
"You're pretty."
"Thank you," I said, "you're pretty too."
I didn't think much about it until the day was nearly done.
I was sitting a classroom where there was a review going on, so I was not needed as an aide. I was watching a boy in the class who reminded me a lot of a boy I went to school with. He was quiet and nerdy, in a computer-gamer kind of way.
One of the other aides and I got to talking about how these particular middle school students were still kind to one another.
I thought about the student I was aiding andhow she probably didn't have much longer before the kids started picking on her. Maybe one of those days in the future, she will remember that an adult, who was not related to her, told her she was pretty. Maybe it will keep her going.
Middle School is such a strange age. Popular cliques start to begin to form and some kids are left out in the cold. I went to a school where we did not change schools at fifth grade, so those cliques were years in the making.
I know I, in the midst of being nicknamed cow and moose and the like would have appreciated an adult telling me I was pretty. Grade school was fairly miserable. But, it toughened my skin a little. More than that, though, I think it prepared me to be in a classroom. I can spot a bully a mile away.
So, for today, my gift was a reminder for one child to remember her own beauty.
And, consider this a reminder for all of you.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL
Don't ever forget it.
D
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Day 7: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Today's gift wasn't intended as a gift. But, the more I sat in a classroom waxing nostalgic about my own childhood, the more I though that one moment of my day was probably more genuine of a gift than some others in the past week.
I subbed today as an aide for a middle school special-need student. Early on in the day, she says to me,
"You're pretty."
"Thank you," I said, "you're pretty too."
I didn't think much about it until the day was nearly done.
I was sitting a classroom where there was a review going on, so I was not needed as an aide. I was watching a boy in the class who reminded me a lot of a boy I went to school with. He was quiet and nerdy, in a computer-gamer kind of way.
One of the other aides and I got to talking about how these particular middle school students were still kind to one another.
I thought about the student I was aiding andhow she probably didn't have much longer before the kids started picking on her. Maybe one of those days in the future, she will remember that an adult, who was not related to her, told her she was pretty. Maybe it will keep her going.
Middle School is such a strange age. Popular cliques start to begin to form and some kids are left out in the cold. I went to a school where we did not change schools at fifth grade, so those cliques were years in the making.
I know I, in the midst of being nicknamed cow and moose and the like would have appreciated an adult telling me I was pretty. Grade school was fairly miserable. But, it toughened my skin a little. More than that, though, I think it prepared me to be in a classroom. I can spot a bully a mile away.
So, for today, my gift was a reminder for one child to remember her own beauty.
And, consider this a reminder for all of you.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL
Don't ever forget it.
D
I subbed today as an aide for a middle school special-need student. Early on in the day, she says to me,
"You're pretty."
"Thank you," I said, "you're pretty too."
I didn't think much about it until the day was nearly done.
I was sitting a classroom where there was a review going on, so I was not needed as an aide. I was watching a boy in the class who reminded me a lot of a boy I went to school with. He was quiet and nerdy, in a computer-gamer kind of way.
One of the other aides and I got to talking about how these particular middle school students were still kind to one another.
I thought about the student I was aiding andhow she probably didn't have much longer before the kids started picking on her. Maybe one of those days in the future, she will remember that an adult, who was not related to her, told her she was pretty. Maybe it will keep her going.
Middle School is such a strange age. Popular cliques start to begin to form and some kids are left out in the cold. I went to a school where we did not change schools at fifth grade, so those cliques were years in the making.
I know I, in the midst of being nicknamed cow and moose and the like would have appreciated an adult telling me I was pretty. Grade school was fairly miserable. But, it toughened my skin a little. More than that, though, I think it prepared me to be in a classroom. I can spot a bully a mile away.
So, for today, my gift was a reminder for one child to remember her own beauty.
And, consider this a reminder for all of you.
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL
Don't ever forget it.
D
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Day 6: Have you seen the muffin man?
Today, I made a batch of cranberry-orange muffins with the sole purpose of giving them away. One box of cornbread mix made 16 muffins and I gave away every one.
I made the muffins this morning, but waited until the kids got home from school to pass them out. This was not a thought-out decision, but more because I was so busy today that I did not get out of the house until then.
So, I happened to have great timing. I walked into the park district to pay for my kids' after-school care right behind a man with four Starbucks coffees. I gave a muffin to the lady at the front desk, asked her to put one to the side for the day-time reception lady and gave one to the man with the Starbuck's and one to the custodian. The kids took the rest of the tray and gave them away.
When the last two were left, the kids could not find anyone to give them to. Then, some people walked through the door and I told Nate to offer the muffins to them. The lady, whose face lit up when she took the muffin said, "Are you selling them?"
"Nope," I said.
"Wow, thanks," she said.
She walked away explaining to her children that Nate must have made the muffins in his class. No matter. Her reaction alone was well worth the muffins.
Today was also the first day I told someone what I was doing. One of Nate and Joey's after-school teachers asked what the occassion was and I said I was giving away 29 gifts in 29 days and I was just going to see what happened.
She said that was interesting.
All in all, it was a good day. There was sunshine. I fed people semi-homemade muffins (a couple right with their coffee). And, I made a batch of GF cornbread that while it did not turn out the way I wanted, is perfectly suited for stuffing, which I will make later tonight. A good friend said saving the GF cornbread an repurposing it instead of throwing it away was a gift in and of itself. Wow. Score two for the team.
Blessings everyone.
I made the muffins this morning, but waited until the kids got home from school to pass them out. This was not a thought-out decision, but more because I was so busy today that I did not get out of the house until then.
So, I happened to have great timing. I walked into the park district to pay for my kids' after-school care right behind a man with four Starbucks coffees. I gave a muffin to the lady at the front desk, asked her to put one to the side for the day-time reception lady and gave one to the man with the Starbuck's and one to the custodian. The kids took the rest of the tray and gave them away.
When the last two were left, the kids could not find anyone to give them to. Then, some people walked through the door and I told Nate to offer the muffins to them. The lady, whose face lit up when she took the muffin said, "Are you selling them?"
"Nope," I said.
"Wow, thanks," she said.
She walked away explaining to her children that Nate must have made the muffins in his class. No matter. Her reaction alone was well worth the muffins.
Today was also the first day I told someone what I was doing. One of Nate and Joey's after-school teachers asked what the occassion was and I said I was giving away 29 gifts in 29 days and I was just going to see what happened.
She said that was interesting.
All in all, it was a good day. There was sunshine. I fed people semi-homemade muffins (a couple right with their coffee). And, I made a batch of GF cornbread that while it did not turn out the way I wanted, is perfectly suited for stuffing, which I will make later tonight. A good friend said saving the GF cornbread an repurposing it instead of throwing it away was a gift in and of itself. Wow. Score two for the team.
Blessings everyone.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Day 5: Home is where the heart is
Did anyone notice that it was brighter out today than yesterday...not quite sunshine, mind you, but maybe a little closer to the sun peaking its way out of the clouds? I'm just saying...the Universe threw me a bone. LOL
Today was rather quiet on the gift front...I ended up giving a gift of time.
Joey, my oldest, had an easy homework day today. He only had to read a story and complete a sheet of questions about the story. We did that together...but that wasn't the gift.
The kids have been wanting to play Scene-it for a while. The game is a little old for them as it is the original version, but I am trying not to be judgemental, so we played. And they got a couple of the answers right. Actually, Joey won once. Thank goodness for the Shrek picture.
So, since they liked the way the game was played so much, I asked Carl to buy a Nick version for the kids. Now, they will always beat me...unless of course some of the questions are throw backs to things like "You Can't Do That on Television." (I know Mark will appreciate that one).
In any event, today was quiet in its intention, but I know was important for the kids. Some of my best memories with my family were times spent together, especially Fantasy Island and Love Boat night, when they let me drink Pepsi right out of the bottle!
They say the best gift you can give is time...
Tomorrow, Day 5...really thinking about this one...
Monday, January 25, 2010
Day 4: Bloom where you are planted
The woman who started the 29 gift movement was pretty well-known for giving flowers to people. So, I took her choice as inspiration on this dark, dreary day and decided to buy some flowers and hand them out. First stop: Jewel. After I bought the flowers, I was going to give one to the poor woman who was working at the bank and whose unfortunate job it was to try to recruit new members. But, she was too busy doing her job - recruiting new members.
A little old lady was walking past when I was thinking about this and I decided to give my first flower to her. I followed her out of the store...
"Excuse me, ma'am," I said.
She turned around.
"This is for you," I said, handing her a flower.
"Thanks," she said, with a look of confusion mixed with gratitude on her face.
My next flower went to my massage therapist, who I had an appointment with today.
Two more went to the kids.
I meant to give away the remaining flowers to people at a meditation group I intended to go to tonight. But, it is icy outside and I decided that keeping my car out of the ditch was a better idea than trying to go to the group. Not sure if that was the right choice.
I gave the rest of the flowers to Carl.
I think my decision to choose flowers had to do with my desire for spring to come already. I know the first day is more than a month away, but it has already been a long winter, both physically and energetically.
Maybe I am getting old, but the cold is tiring and the cloudy skies are disheartening. I want to see the sun.
So, I guess today was not just a set of gifts, but a request to the Universe...
Dear Universe,
Please send a little bit of spring my way. Give me sunshine. Let the early flowers begin to peek out of the ground. Let me and those I love see a little bit of the new beginnings that Spring offers. Help me to remember that even though the trees are brown and leafless that they are still alive inside and will bloom again.
Maybe it's fitting that my first flower went to an old woman. Maybe I was giving Spring to Winter in an effort to get it to concede.
In any event, tomorrow is Day 4 and I have no ideas yet on what might happen. But the deciding is half the fun.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Day 3: A dollar saved is a dollar earned
When I was in my second year of college, I would drive home to my mother's house about every other weekend. Like many other college students, I was strapped for cash. Sometimes I would take the back roads home for no other reason than I had no money for tolls.
But, sometimes, I trusted in the Universe to give me toll money. More realistically, I trusted that enough people had missed the basket and that I could put together the then 40 cent toll with the change I found on the ground.
When I got a good job and before the days of IPass, I used to pay double tolls occassionally, paying for the person behind me in line.
It was with this in mind that I decided on my gift for day 3. Times have changed and many Illinois residents rely on IPass. But there are still those from out of state who drive through our tollbooths and have to pay double the toll because they do not have an IPass.
First toll I went through today, I stopped and said to the toll lady, "I have an IPass, but I would like to pay for the next person who comes through the tollbooth."
She laughed at me and said it would be a while before anyone else passed through. No matter to me...someone was going to get a free pass.
My kids were in the car with me. They asked me why I did that. So, I explained that I was giving 29 gifts in 29 days. Nathan and Joey both agreed that I should do it more often. I had one more toll before home, so I did it twice today.
When I used to do this back in the day, I used to wonder about the person who was behind me in the toll. What was their story? Did they really need someone to pay for that toll? Were they planning to ask the toll lady or man for an envelope so they could mail their toll in later?
I would like to think that the people who got one free toll today really needed it.
But, that's not the point. Someone got a toll as a gift today. And I was happy to give it.
But, sometimes, I trusted in the Universe to give me toll money. More realistically, I trusted that enough people had missed the basket and that I could put together the then 40 cent toll with the change I found on the ground.
When I got a good job and before the days of IPass, I used to pay double tolls occassionally, paying for the person behind me in line.
It was with this in mind that I decided on my gift for day 3. Times have changed and many Illinois residents rely on IPass. But there are still those from out of state who drive through our tollbooths and have to pay double the toll because they do not have an IPass.
First toll I went through today, I stopped and said to the toll lady, "I have an IPass, but I would like to pay for the next person who comes through the tollbooth."
She laughed at me and said it would be a while before anyone else passed through. No matter to me...someone was going to get a free pass.
My kids were in the car with me. They asked me why I did that. So, I explained that I was giving 29 gifts in 29 days. Nathan and Joey both agreed that I should do it more often. I had one more toll before home, so I did it twice today.
When I used to do this back in the day, I used to wonder about the person who was behind me in the toll. What was their story? Did they really need someone to pay for that toll? Were they planning to ask the toll lady or man for an envelope so they could mail their toll in later?
I would like to think that the people who got one free toll today really needed it.
But, that's not the point. Someone got a toll as a gift today. And I was happy to give it.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Day 2: giving with love
Going into day two, I had nothing in particular planned. After my experience with day 1, I thought maybe part of the lesson in this gift experience is to learn to go with the flow. So, I did. And it was late evening before the idea for day two came to me.
I was at Target and thinking about it. I thought I could buy candy and leave it on a stranger's car in the parking lot. But, then I thought, and I am not kidding, that I would not know if the owner of that car might have a stalker or something and I would scare the crap out of them. Then I thought I could buy a bag of candy and start handing it out to people...but that has the creepy factor too. But I did file away another take on this idea for another day.
So, I am wandering around Target when I pass the card eisle. Ahhh, inspiration.
Many of you know my grandmother has dementia and is in an assisted living facility. I have not made time to go see her this week. But, while cleaning out her house with the help of my family, I have learned just how much cards and letters meant to her. I think she kept every one she ever got.
So, I added to her clutter and wrote her a card.
Now, there are no rules to this experiment, but this gift (and the other cards I was inspired to buy) will not be recieved for two or three days. I think that's okay.
But, for good measure, I made sure to give my kids some extra time (much of it spent cuddling) today. We bought a cake mix and brought a cake to my mom's house and I also brought a salad to dinner.
I said there was going to be a lot of food being given. :-)
But, my plan for day 3 has NOTHING to do with food. I have been planning this one since the Universe told me to feed the fingerprint lady. So, stay tuned.
I was at Target and thinking about it. I thought I could buy candy and leave it on a stranger's car in the parking lot. But, then I thought, and I am not kidding, that I would not know if the owner of that car might have a stalker or something and I would scare the crap out of them. Then I thought I could buy a bag of candy and start handing it out to people...but that has the creepy factor too. But I did file away another take on this idea for another day.
So, I am wandering around Target when I pass the card eisle. Ahhh, inspiration.
Many of you know my grandmother has dementia and is in an assisted living facility. I have not made time to go see her this week. But, while cleaning out her house with the help of my family, I have learned just how much cards and letters meant to her. I think she kept every one she ever got.
So, I added to her clutter and wrote her a card.
Now, there are no rules to this experiment, but this gift (and the other cards I was inspired to buy) will not be recieved for two or three days. I think that's okay.
But, for good measure, I made sure to give my kids some extra time (much of it spent cuddling) today. We bought a cake mix and brought a cake to my mom's house and I also brought a salad to dinner.
I said there was going to be a lot of food being given. :-)
But, my plan for day 3 has NOTHING to do with food. I have been planning this one since the Universe told me to feed the fingerprint lady. So, stay tuned.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Surprise
Okay, so, the universe sometimes throws us a curveball. In this case, the curveball came in the form of a boxed lunch of sorts for a lady taking my fingerprints. Now, before you all get up in arms, I was getting fingerprinted for the observation portion of my master's degree. I am already a substitute teacher and, therefore, have already been fingerprinted, but bureaucratic bs being what it is...I digress...
Back to gratitude...
So, I show up for fingerprints at 12:15...they close at 12:30 for lunch. This would have been fine, but I was the fourth person in the waiting room. When the lady finished my fingerprints, she said, "well, I guess there is no time for lunch."
"Oh, jeesh, sorry," I said.
I left, walked out to my car and started to think.
So, the whole purpose of this experiment is to give. And this was a giving opportunity.
I went to Dominick's and bought her a sandwich, orange and bottle of water. By the time I made it back, she had found a way to get lunch, she was already eating...ah, well, I said, keep it for dinner.
Then, I left.
I did not want this to be my gift in a way, because she recognized my name and knew who I was, even if only by verse.
A gift is a gift though. And, I just want to see where I land at the end of this and be open to whatever happens. So, no second guessing.
And so, day one: a sandwich, orange and water. And, a reminder, that despite the best intentions, sometimes the best thing you can do for another human is feed them. :-)
In giving.
D
Back to gratitude...
So, I show up for fingerprints at 12:15...they close at 12:30 for lunch. This would have been fine, but I was the fourth person in the waiting room. When the lady finished my fingerprints, she said, "well, I guess there is no time for lunch."
"Oh, jeesh, sorry," I said.
I left, walked out to my car and started to think.
So, the whole purpose of this experiment is to give. And this was a giving opportunity.
I went to Dominick's and bought her a sandwich, orange and bottle of water. By the time I made it back, she had found a way to get lunch, she was already eating...ah, well, I said, keep it for dinner.
Then, I left.
I did not want this to be my gift in a way, because she recognized my name and knew who I was, even if only by verse.
A gift is a gift though. And, I just want to see where I land at the end of this and be open to whatever happens. So, no second guessing.
And so, day one: a sandwich, orange and water. And, a reminder, that despite the best intentions, sometimes the best thing you can do for another human is feed them. :-)
In giving.
D
Shifting into giving
About a week ago, Carl showed me a video of Cami Walker, an MS patient who changed her life by giving 29 gifts in 29 days. I was intrigued. I put it on the back burner in my brain. And, I thought about it.
Basically, Cami was diagnosed with MS, and was advised by a spiritual advisor to give 29 gifts in 29 days. The idea was if Cami began to concentrate on what she can give other people each day, she would shift her energy. She said it began to work, she began to feel better. You can learn more about her and her project at www.29gifts.org.
Many of you know my mom has MS. So, it struck me because of that. More than that, though, I am intrigued by the idea that she shifted her energy by one simple act every day.
So, I decided, I am doing it, too.
Gratefully, I am healthy. And, I do have a tendency to live in my head. I think about things even after I have found solutions to problems. Maybe shifting my energy will mean getting out of my own head and in the process, helping other people.
So, since I am a writer, you guys will all get to see what happens firsthand. I will write about the gifts I give the day after I give them.
Today is day one. I sat in bed this morning thinking about what I would do today. I have already decided. But, you all have to wait until tomorrow to find out what I did.
Basically, Cami was diagnosed with MS, and was advised by a spiritual advisor to give 29 gifts in 29 days. The idea was if Cami began to concentrate on what she can give other people each day, she would shift her energy. She said it began to work, she began to feel better. You can learn more about her and her project at www.29gifts.org.
Many of you know my mom has MS. So, it struck me because of that. More than that, though, I am intrigued by the idea that she shifted her energy by one simple act every day.
So, I decided, I am doing it, too.
Gratefully, I am healthy. And, I do have a tendency to live in my head. I think about things even after I have found solutions to problems. Maybe shifting my energy will mean getting out of my own head and in the process, helping other people.
So, since I am a writer, you guys will all get to see what happens firsthand. I will write about the gifts I give the day after I give them.
Today is day one. I sat in bed this morning thinking about what I would do today. I have already decided. But, you all have to wait until tomorrow to find out what I did.
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Bridge
"I will build a bridge," she said
And did so in her mind
She picked the finest wood they had
the finest she could find
The nails she chose were sharp and strong
And stood up under pressure
For they would hold through right and wrong
While she sought out her treasure
He was waiting on the other side
He'd been waiting there awhile
So, she took off her foolish pride
And faced her inner trial
She picked up the hammer and nails and wood
And she got right to work
She would do the best she could
Through clear skies, fog and murk
Because it wasn't just about a man
She thought as she put on her gloves
It was about her heart, her soul and her plan
Her capacity to love
She would build the bridge across the tide
Though deep inside she knew
He may not be on the other side
But, she had to follow through
She built and built and built some more
In light of day and dark of night
Though often at her heart it tore
That she would do something that wasn't right
And when the bridge was done
What a sight it was to see
She stood on her shore, party of one
And said, "I did it, just me."
She stood and gazed across the way
But her structure blocked her view
She could have paused to hope or pray
But deep inside she knew
She could no longer see
If he was on the other shore
She took a moment just to be
But she knew that there was more
She took off her gloves and sighed
She was at a loss
In order to get to the other side,
She would have to cross.
And did so in her mind
She picked the finest wood they had
the finest she could find
The nails she chose were sharp and strong
And stood up under pressure
For they would hold through right and wrong
While she sought out her treasure
He was waiting on the other side
He'd been waiting there awhile
So, she took off her foolish pride
And faced her inner trial
She picked up the hammer and nails and wood
And she got right to work
She would do the best she could
Through clear skies, fog and murk
Because it wasn't just about a man
She thought as she put on her gloves
It was about her heart, her soul and her plan
Her capacity to love
She would build the bridge across the tide
Though deep inside she knew
He may not be on the other side
But, she had to follow through
She built and built and built some more
In light of day and dark of night
Though often at her heart it tore
That she would do something that wasn't right
And when the bridge was done
What a sight it was to see
She stood on her shore, party of one
And said, "I did it, just me."
She stood and gazed across the way
But her structure blocked her view
She could have paused to hope or pray
But deep inside she knew
She could no longer see
If he was on the other shore
She took a moment just to be
But she knew that there was more
She took off her gloves and sighed
She was at a loss
In order to get to the other side,
She would have to cross.
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