29 Days of Giving Update

I've been doing lots of giving.  This round of the 29 Days of Giving has been in some ways easier and some ways much more difficult.  I have been attempting to do different things than I did the first round and it makes it a bit more challenging.  I have also been trying to be open to what the universe has in mind for my giving as well. I am trying to take advantage of opportunities to give that present themselves to me... I'm not always the best listener, sometimes I need to be slapped in the face a bit with an obvious, "this is what you should be doing Michelle!"  I'm working on it.     

So far, my list includes sending goodies back to school with Elise, making dinner for friends, sushi & a movie {& really the gift of uninterrupted "us" time} with Dave, printable cupcake toppers for you all, birthday gifts for my nephew & my friend Stephanie, a few thank yous for my Dad, flowers for Dave's Oma, smiles, advice, kind words, a springtime walk with Finnegan through our neighborhood, a batch of Sea Salt Chocolate Covered Oreos, slipping $10 to my sister for gas, time with Meme, and this...

This week?  It's going to be even better.  A small check to a very deserving Hospice family, cleaning the house & running errands for Dave, helping my sister Lyndsey paint her bedroom, baby name books to the OB department of the hospital where I delivered Finnegan, & a trip to the zoo for Finnegan.  

Have you given of yourself today?  Start with a smile and a hello.

29 Days of Giving - The 2010 Edition

I am beginning the 29 days of giving challenge today so that my very last day will be April 17th, my birthday.  I am doing this and I can not wait.  I mean, really really can not wait.  If you would like to read about my first round of the 29 days of giving you can click here for all of the posts.

When you sign up on their site, they ask you why you're doing the giving and what you most would like to receive.  Last time, I asked for something for someone else, it was a biggie and she received it.  There is power in the gift of giving to someone else.  If you don't believe me, I would encourage you to take this challenge yourself.

Without being nauseatingly sweet about the reasons behind my participation in the 29 days of giving, I feel like I am extremely fortunate.  My family is healthy and happy.  My husband works extremely hard so that I can stay home with Finnegan.  We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and a soft bed to sleep in each night.  I love my husband and I am thankful for who he is as a person.  I am surrounded by amazingly talented, generous, hilarious, wonderful friends.  And I try to live with purpose, but sometimes the mundane gets in the way.  The 29 days is a challenge and a wonderful reminder to live with purpose and to count your blessings. 

Plus, I want to cross off  #41 on my 101 Things List.  I'm ok with doing something just to see the satisfyingly lovely strikethrough of another thing crossed off.  For realsies, I am that weird.  You know, just in case you doubted it before.

This year, I am doing it a bit differently.  I'm keeping a log of my daily giving and instead of posting daily recaps, I will write about the challenge as the mood strikes and provide some brief recaps.

I am starting my giving off with birthdays too... my Meme's & Aunt Judy's birthday dinner.  Stay tuned next week for a re-cap!

Have you ever done the 29 days of giving?  Is it something you think you could do?  Have you heard of it before?  Do you have ideas about what you'd like to see me do for my random acts of kindness birthday?  People in the area you'd like to help?  I would love your input!