The Gratitude Challenge

Excerpt:
Gratitude is a gift that we give ourselves. It lightens us and feeds us fulfills and enlightens us. So heres the challenge. Each day until December 28, Im going to give something to someone, while feeding me in some way. Im also going to look for ways in which I gave without knowing. These will be prime examples of how my overflowing joy and love help others. Im going to list my act of kindness or giving on my blog site. I also challenge you to join me. Id love to hear about your examples. Go to my blog page and post comments on your giving experiences, or email me at debhill@theawarenessinitiative.com.

Gratitude is a gift that we give ourselves. It lightens us and feeds us fulfills and enlightens us.
It takes one moment to shift from complaining or worrying to gratitude. Just change your thoughts. Step away from the negative jabber that swirls through the brain for one moment and look at all you do have. The Thanksgiving holiday offers a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and experience grace and gratitude. Weve all experienced many challenges and yet, there is so much to be thankful for: Friends, family, sunshine, good food, animal buddies, the opportunity to experience each day in a new way... (good time to make a list!)
This is also a season of giving. Thanksgiving begins the buying frenzy and we shift into giving mode. It feels so good to give a gift or even a smile when its needed. When a gift is done right it fuels everyone involved, especially our heart. It feels so good to give, but it cant be done for selfish reasons. Here are gift-giving reasons to watch out for:

1. Out of obligation.
2. Because it will fix someone else. (Not our job. See my book, Unlimited Life for a further explanation of this.)
3. To change someone, so we will feel better. (Giving a kid candy so she will stop talking is a great example. Another is buying my child a dress to wear to a party, because I think shell look great in it. Or, in other words, maybe I dont want her to wear what she has and loves.)
4. Self sacrificing and giving until it hurts.
A note on #4: For many reasons we give of ourselves when we are not able to. This example is often used and is so apropos: If the pressure in the airplane drops, give yourself oxygen before the child or incapable person sitting next to you. Why? What good are you if you cant breathe? Giving acts in the same way. You have to give to yourself before you can give to others. Giving is then an act of overflowing love, joy and abundance to others given without obligation or strings.
So heres the challenge. Each day until December 28, Im going to give something to someone, while feeding me in some way. Im also going to look for ways in which I gave without knowing. These will be prime examples of how my overflowing joy and love help others. Im going to list my act of kindness or giving on my blog site. I also challenge you to join me. Id love to hear about your examples. Many of us giving because it doesnt hurt! We can share our acts and help others to get ideas of ways to give and share.
Today my act was simple. I let someone cut in front of me in traffic. It sounds simple. But, I was late for an appointment. There was a lot of traffic with people trying to get home for the holiday. It would be awhile before this person found a hole to slide into. What did I get out of it? Patience. Im working on patience and faith that Ill be where I need to be on time. Im OK with this at other times. Im not good at being patient in traffic. Today I relaxed, took a breath, helped someone and made it to my appointment EARLY!
OK, its small. Small matters. It mattered to the person I let in. Maybe she made it in time to pick up her child from school. Maybe not. Whatever, it felt good to give and grow.