Have you been listing your daily gift? I have identified my gift of sewing, particularly quilting, and my ability to sahre it with others. Over the last couple of days, I have opened a package of batting to let it "breathe" before I put it into the quilt I'm making for a friend. Another gift of my quilting was to iron the entire top of the quilt - a full 99" X 106"! Quite a project on my ironing board! Yesterday I selected and purchased the backing fabric for the quilt and this morning I fused the backing, batting, and quilt top and pin basted it as I prepare to quilt.
How is your list coming? Remember you only have to note 1 task from 1 of your gifts. I certainly haven't done something with all of my gifts, just made a few small notes of what I have done with 1 gift.
If you haven't selected your gift or listed your gift, take a few minutes to do it now. Today is a good day to start!
Welcome to My Gift of Thoughts!This is my gift to you, the gift of receiving and validating your thoughts to walk with you through your journey.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Action Steps
Have you been writing in your journal? Have you found a list of your gifts from last week? I hope so, it is a very encouraging feeling to realize how much you bring to the world.
This week I want you to choose one gift - just one - that you have identified about yourself. The one you choose will give you focus for this activity. Write the numbers 1 through 7 on alternating lines. You need to be able to write a short sentence or two after each number.
Every day for the next 7 days, write a sentence describing how you used your gift that day. It doesn't have to be big and spectacular, it just has to be your gift. Write it down every day. You will be amazed at how simple this is and how wonderful you will feel about yourself each day when you write down your gift.
This week I want you to choose one gift - just one - that you have identified about yourself. The one you choose will give you focus for this activity. Write the numbers 1 through 7 on alternating lines. You need to be able to write a short sentence or two after each number.
Every day for the next 7 days, write a sentence describing how you used your gift that day. It doesn't have to be big and spectacular, it just has to be your gift. Write it down every day. You will be amazed at how simple this is and how wonderful you will feel about yourself each day when you write down your gift.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Identity of Gifts
"The greatest gift you can give yourself, is the gift of yourself." Anonymous
Last week I suggested you identify your gifts. Did you find more than you expected? This week I'd like to look at what makes me- me and what makes you - you. The diversity of each person keeps life interesting, it brings different perspectives to ourselves and to others.
Let's look at what we can identify as the diversity we bring to the community. The best place to start is to identify where you spend your time.
Family - what is your role? Are you the chauffer, the chef, and housekeeper? Are you the one who works long hours and isn't able to contribute very much time to the family? Are you the primary breadwinner or childcare provider? Are you one everyone turns to in crisis and celebration?
Work - what is your role? Certainly it is in your job description but what else do you contribute? Do you lead by quiet example or by leading workshops for other employees? Are you the critical one or the one giving positive praise and feedback? Are you the "face" of your company or do you work quietly in the background?
Community and Neighborhood - do you volunteer at church or in the community? Do you chair a committee or event or are you a dedicated committee member? Are you a friend to your neighbors? Do you know their faces but not their names or do you share a chat while out working in the yard?
Think of other areas where you spend your time and consider what you bring to that area of your life. Write these thoughts in your journal. When you feel unappreciated or that what you are doing is going unnoticed, come back and read what you have written and you will see what a blessing you are to all.
Last week I suggested you identify your gifts. Did you find more than you expected? This week I'd like to look at what makes me- me and what makes you - you. The diversity of each person keeps life interesting, it brings different perspectives to ourselves and to others.
Let's look at what we can identify as the diversity we bring to the community. The best place to start is to identify where you spend your time.
Family - what is your role? Are you the chauffer, the chef, and housekeeper? Are you the one who works long hours and isn't able to contribute very much time to the family? Are you the primary breadwinner or childcare provider? Are you one everyone turns to in crisis and celebration?
Work - what is your role? Certainly it is in your job description but what else do you contribute? Do you lead by quiet example or by leading workshops for other employees? Are you the critical one or the one giving positive praise and feedback? Are you the "face" of your company or do you work quietly in the background?
Community and Neighborhood - do you volunteer at church or in the community? Do you chair a committee or event or are you a dedicated committee member? Are you a friend to your neighbors? Do you know their faces but not their names or do you share a chat while out working in the yard?
Think of other areas where you spend your time and consider what you bring to that area of your life. Write these thoughts in your journal. When you feel unappreciated or that what you are doing is going unnoticed, come back and read what you have written and you will see what a blessing you are to all.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Week 3 Comment
This weekend I've been watching the Olympics. Despite participating on their team, with their country mates, each athlete retains their uniqueness. That special quality that makes them "different" from others. Not better, not worse, just unique. As you write in your journal, look for those traits that define your uniqueness and keep you a member of the team of life.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Be Unique
Be Yourself - Everyone else is already taken. Unknown quote.
Often we feel "different" from others, that we don't fit in and wish we could be someone else. We fail to see the uniqueness of ourselves and all that we bring to our world. Here are some suggestions for your journal.
1. List 3 to 5 qualities you admire in others. Next to each one, write an example of when you displayed that quality.
2. List 3 to 5 qualities you have that you wish you could change. Next to each one, write an example of when you showed that you really don't show that quality very often.
3. List 3 to 5 qualities that you like or admire about yourself. Next to each one, list a time when someone complimented you on each quality.
As you read over the lists and examples, you will see how unique you are and how much you bring to your world. These are the wonderful qualities that others love about you. Read these often to remember yourself of the gift you are to yourself and others.
Often we feel "different" from others, that we don't fit in and wish we could be someone else. We fail to see the uniqueness of ourselves and all that we bring to our world. Here are some suggestions for your journal.
1. List 3 to 5 qualities you admire in others. Next to each one, write an example of when you displayed that quality.
2. List 3 to 5 qualities you have that you wish you could change. Next to each one, write an example of when you showed that you really don't show that quality very often.
3. List 3 to 5 qualities that you like or admire about yourself. Next to each one, list a time when someone complimented you on each quality.
As you read over the lists and examples, you will see how unique you are and how much you bring to your world. These are the wonderful qualities that others love about you. Read these often to remember yourself of the gift you are to yourself and others.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A Gift
http://www.edictionary.com/ defines "gift" as "something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present."
This week I wanted to focus on what we are working on with this blog - the gift of thoughts. Your thoughts come to you voluntarily, no one else put them there and no one can take them away. Your thoughts can be favorable towards someone including yourself. They can honor a special occasion and you can be the guest of honor! You will almost always feel better when you give the gift of yourself to help someone else.
Here are some questions to start your journal:
1. Sit quietly, listen to nothing except your breathing. Slowly you will notice a thought coming to you. Repeat the positive thought over and over until it becomes rhythmic. Write it in your journal and read it when you need to feel relaxed.
2. Did your thought speak positively about yourself? If not or even if it was about you, sit quietly again and let a positive thought about the gift you are to yourself come into your thoughts. Repeat it until it becomes rhythmic. Write it in your journal and read it to stay positive.
3. What have you done for another person this week? Did you call a friend or send a card? Make dinner for a friend? Volunteer at a local agency? Clean out a closet and donate clothes you never wear to a worthy organization?
Remember that the greatest gifts of all are what you do for yourself because then you can be a gift to others.
Have a great week!
This week I wanted to focus on what we are working on with this blog - the gift of thoughts. Your thoughts come to you voluntarily, no one else put them there and no one can take them away. Your thoughts can be favorable towards someone including yourself. They can honor a special occasion and you can be the guest of honor! You will almost always feel better when you give the gift of yourself to help someone else.
Here are some questions to start your journal:
1. Sit quietly, listen to nothing except your breathing. Slowly you will notice a thought coming to you. Repeat the positive thought over and over until it becomes rhythmic. Write it in your journal and read it when you need to feel relaxed.
2. Did your thought speak positively about yourself? If not or even if it was about you, sit quietly again and let a positive thought about the gift you are to yourself come into your thoughts. Repeat it until it becomes rhythmic. Write it in your journal and read it to stay positive.
3. What have you done for another person this week? Did you call a friend or send a card? Make dinner for a friend? Volunteer at a local agency? Clean out a closet and donate clothes you never wear to a worthy organization?
Remember that the greatest gifts of all are what you do for yourself because then you can be a gift to others.
Have a great week!
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