Thursday, February 10, 2011

29 Gifts: Day 4

"A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are."

I want to apologize for my inconsistency with the 29 Days of Gifts. When I read about the movement and what goes into this challenge the following words stood out to me:

     "If you forget your give one day, be gentle with yourself. This ritual is about progress, not perfection. Sit down and quietly reflect on your day. Review the entire day mindfully and find the times you unconsciously gave so you can bring it into your consciousness. Don’t forget that there is never a day that you don't give. There are only days that you don't acknowledge and remember you did."

With that said I can promise you this. Everyday I have given in someway. Whether it was as simple as a hug to someone I could tell really needed it. Okay, so I gave quite a few of those! A Thank You note which I'm getting so much better at completing lately. Sending a letter of recognition on behalf of a co-worker that I felt truly deserving of it.

Day 4:  I'm not sure exactly but it may have been a year ago when a friend of mine had posted on Facebook about being locked out of his vehicle asking for help as his wife was with the little ones at home. I remember reading that with the first thought coming to my mind "Oh.. I'm sure someone has already called to help out..".. Then as I thought a little more the hesitation that there are probably tons of other people thinking the same way as I did. Of course the end result being no one would help. Well, I wanted to and I had called his wife and long story short I helped my buddy out of a tough situation. 

This is not my recent gift but the thought behind this is. We so often think that because its our humanly instinct I suppose. Just as I had stopped to help my neighbor out while others probably assumed as they passed him 'Oh.. I'm sure someone else will come bye and help him out." I guess that's something to keep in mind next time you come across a situation like that. Just assume someone will not help them out and perhaps it's your turn to step up ♥

My Gift for Day 4 is visiting with an old friend who has been going through a really tough time. We all have what we consider to be our level of stress and our 'tough times' that may not be considered that terrible for someone else. My friend needed good company. He deserved to smile, laugh and be surrounded with people who cared.  He deserves it all. I know he has a lot of great friends out there but as our humanly instinct tells us.. "There is someone else who's probably visiting and keeping him company." I learned from him, with his positive attitude during a time that I'm not sure I could be as strong. As much as the visit was a gift for him it was for me as well.

I leave you with his words that stuck in my head from yesterday.."I only wish that everyone lived like they only have this one life and I really think this world would be a better place.


With all my love,
Katie