The Gratitude Challenge

Excerpt:

Gratitude is a gift that we give ourselves. It lightens us and feeds us fulfills and enlightens us. So
here’s the challenge. Each day until December 28, I’m going to give something to
someone, while feeding me in some way. I’m 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. I’m 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. We’ve 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:

  • Out of obligation.
  • Because it will fix someone else. (Not our job. See my
    book, Unlimited Life for a further explanation of this.)
  • 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 don’t want her to wear what she has and
    loves.)
  • 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
    here’s the challenge. Each day until December 28, I’m going to give something to
    someone, while feeding me in some way. I’m 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. I’m 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 doesn’t 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. I’m
    working on patience and faith that Ill be where I need to be on time. I’m OK
    with this at other times. I’m 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

    Visit Deborah’s web site: www.TheAwarenessInitiative.com
    or contact Deborah at: debhill@TheAwarenessInitiative.com