I received this book as a gift for a Laughter Yoga class I led for someone's birthday. I am so happy to introduce this book as the book-of-the-moment for our book club! I would love to hear what happens for you should you take the toss to read the book and participate in the project! Thanks you for sharing your gifts!
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I began this journey yesterday by texting friends who have always been curious about New York, pictures of the city. It seemed so simple but what I noticed, was that I got waay more curious about seeing new things and capturing the essence of my experiences. I think I had more fun than on this trip than I had in all the years that I lived here. Later in the day a friend from high school invited me to a production of "A Raisin in the Sun." I already had plans for the evening, so we are hoping to have a raincheck on my next trip to the city. :)
Day 2 • At first I couldn't "think" of anything to give. Then I remembered to do my meditation & affirmation. "I find ways to give easily" immediately the thought came to spend time with a friend who was going through a tough time. Turns out the problem in her life had solved itself so we spent lots of our time laughing!
I was greeted by friends at the airport with balloons! I was ecstatic!!! I love to be received!! I don't know if giving will always be met with receiving but I sure do like that my new openness in one area has me feeling open in the other. :)
Day 3 • I met a young man yesterday who wants to give stand up a try. I offered encouragement and told him about some of the comedy events I knew about in town.
Each day I keep hoping I'll have something to give and I right now I'm noticing that I feel like what I have to give doesn't feel "big enough".
Today's mantra & affirmation:
My gifts have great value.
Giving also increases my value.
Day 4 • I gave a tub of my new flavor of Inspired Ice Cream "Whimsical" (banana, coconut, apricot) to my friend. Told my friend about this book! And she invited me to join her on the radio to talk about my experiences with the book so far and her journey with MS. We're off to get the book for her now so she can join the movement!
join the movement
Day 5 • Today was an interesting dance of despair, self love, friendship, music, madness & support. During a challenging moment today that I thought would break me I turned inward. Loving myself as I am and surrendering to music. This was incredible. As the day drew close to it's end I worried that I had not given a gift...that perhaps after just 4 days I had nothing else to give...then I read the next section of the book...
...on the power of meditation. I decided to say the mantra "May all beings worldwide, including me, be joyous and free" 29 times.
When I was through my mind & body felt at peace. Cool.
Day 6 • I offered my assistance to my friends as her Executive Assistant for a big conference weekend.
Day 7 • Giving my extra ticket to a Lisa Nichols talk away for free.
Day 8 • Gifting a copy of No Matter What to a friend!
Day 9 • Being an ear & shoulder to cry on for a friend.
Day 10 • Creating a warm sensual ambiance for my self/ friend date.
Day 11 • Making food and co-creating a soft place to land for a friend in need.
Day 12 • Postponing my trip to NYC to be available for a friend.
Day 13 • Playing chauffeur to a carless friend.
Day 14 • Befriending pigeons in NYC (after a woman tried to kick them away from her). I fed them. They were wonderful.
Day 15 • A man was on the street asking for assistance. I shared half of my lunch with him. He said "God Bless You Sister!" Though his eyes never met mine I felt the sincerity in his words. My whole body felt & knew the truth... I AM Blessed! I smiled. He began to sing "Hallelujah." As I was walking away I noticed a woman, who seemed moved, give him money.
Day 16 • I gave the gift of humor. I played a (well received) joke on my friends and we kept the antics going until I made it home from NYC.
Today I am open to seeing the many ways I can be of service.
Day 17 • My friend was curious about how to make vegetables exciting...and not complicated. So, I showed her how to make my favorite kale dish. She liked it a lot! I'll add it to the recipes section for you, enjoy!
I am still getting used to giving without judging my gifts. At the same time, I am noticing more how much I want to & can be of service. This feels so good!
Day 18 • a friend loaned me her car and I replaced the gas and then some. Suddenly, I felt inspired to wash her car! This gift felt fun and easy to give, even in my dressy clothes. :) She was happily surprised. Her husband noticed it right away too! I had a good time with this one!!!
Day 19 • A woman I know is in need of work ASAP so she can stay in her apartment. When I wondered how I could help, I found myself creating a job for her in my company! We'll see if she accepts it?!!
Day 19 (part 2) • I haven't heard back from the first woman. I created another job for another woman & we are meeting today to discuss it. :)
I am in a musical, storytelling, fun duo called "For Love" with my best friend Leraine Horstmanshoff. We go to women's shelters & rehab facilities to bring laughter & music to people. Yesterday we performed for 34 people (23 of which were children). We danced & they took turns playing the instruments. Most seemed to enjoy themselves. Except one boy who never looked up. Never smiled. He seemed so very uncomfortable. I felt sad. As I drummed & sang, I let my heart say, over & over again, "I love you." I pray he felt it and knew, even for a moment, that he is loved beyond measure.
Day 20 • I bought flowers for a friend of mine who was down in the dumps. The buds were closed and when she woke up the next day they were open and she was so very pleased she texted me, overjoyed!
Day 21 • I led a laughter yoga class as a gift. It felt good to give away something I usually do for money. There were 13 people laughing and laughing and it was so good to see it all unfold. I allowed myself to get swept away in the joy and my heart lightened. :)
Today I got a message from one of the participants, thanking me. What a pleasure it is to give something so fun & contagious as laughter!
Day 22 • I gave myself the gift of transportation.
Day 23 • I spent time with a friend sharing marketing tips I've learned.
Day 24 • I turned a friend (who LOVES tacos) on to one of my favorite taco places in SLC...Lone Star Taqueria!
Day 25 • I smiled at strangers while running errands on foot.
Day 26 • I helped a friend with a dying wish exercise.
Day 27 • I cleaned a friend's house.
Day 28 • I supported friends through a transition.
Day 29 • I donated cleaning supplies for spring clean up.
Day 30 or Day 1A • I'm still at it apparently and now I'm wondering how I want to number the days. Um, lol @ myself about how silly the number bit is.
Yesterday I gave a gratuity to a barista at the college cafeteria. I was going to give the change I had but decided to give a buck. I think it was almost a 30% tip. She was happy I think 'cause she FILLED my cup to tha rim!!!
I also acknowledged my HLTH 1242 students for how far they've come and how they've blossomed.
Day 31 • A friend texted and asked if she could stop over for a hug? My response was: YES!! We hung out for a little while and she said she felt relaxed. Good!
I also gave myself the gift of down time. I am heading to NYC again for another weekend of Integrative Nutrition. It also the first time I'll be launching Inspired Ice Cream outside of Utah. I'm going to rest all day tomorrow)!
Day 31 • A friend texted and asked if she could stop over for a hug? My response was: YES!! We hung out for a little while and she said she felt relaxed. Good!
I also gave myself the gift of down time. I am heading to NYC again for another weekend of Integrative Nutrition. It also the first time I'll be launching Inspired Ice Cream outside of Utah. I'm going to rest all day tomorrow)!
Day 32 • I pet my cat till she drooled. That was my stopping point. LOL
Day 33 • my friend & I saw a man struggling to push a womans car through a busy intersection. We ran over, helped push and got her to a gas station safely.
I made a CD for a friend who's b-day is today & left it (gift wrapped) on her car as a surprise (so she'd get it on time even though I'm out of town).
Day 5 • I've decided to go back to counting each set of 29 days.
Yesterday I took a leap of faith and gave something I thought I could not. I gave away free ice cream (I make vegan ice cream made from nuts). It was exhilerating! People loved it! I felt happy when all was said and done.
Day 6 • I chose to be patient. Patient with a new employee at the airport when his co-worker mocked him for being new.
Day 7 • Back at the airport I chose charitable kindness as my gift. I gave someone directions. I helped someone into an elevator. At the end of the day I was on a flight with a friend and she hitched a ride home together.
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