ThanksGIVING

"Giving to others is often the very way to bring happiness to oneself."  I know that I personally think of this often and try everyday to make the lives of others a little better.  Sometimes I am less likely to be successful at this with my family during fits of frustration.  However the concepts of what make people happy and giving to others is always a thought close to my mind.  This is something that I work towards daily in my personal life.

When I began this blog a couple of weeks ago, I starting writing down ideas  throughout my days that makes me think about my "challenge"  for you as a blog reader.  I think about ideas or little acts of kindness that bring out the true heart of a person.  My challenge to you for blog #1 was "Listen to someone's story."  I wonder who listened to someone's story.  Who took the chance to step out of their comfort zone?

This past Tuesday working at a soup kitchen I met a sweet lady who was with her disabled sister.  Her mother had recently passed and she had taken on the care of her sister full time.  What a selfless act; caring for others who cannot care for themselves.  I started listening to their story by starting with a simple hello and "did you get enough to eat?"  This opened the door for more conversation and ended with all of us singing Jingle Bells and Rudolf.  Kathy had such a fun time singing to the top of her lungs and enjoying conversation with others.  I wonder how many people take the time to talk to her and often do not because of her limited communication skills.  Looking at her dis-ability instead of her ability.

I week prior to this I was taking Lexie to the YMCA for her 5:15AM (yes AM!) swim practice and a gentleman was sitting on the steps of the YMCA petting a cat.  Lexie said "see that guy, he feeds that cat everyday when he comes to the YMCA."  As I sat and watched the interaction with the gentleman and the cat, I found it such a sweet act of kindness.  When the doors to the YMCA opened, he picked up the empty little baggy that had the food in it and made his way inside to start his day.  A simple selfless act.  Bring the cat food, pet the cat a few minutes and move on.....  I am sure each day that cat waits patiently for 5:15 AM.

This week we celebrated Thanksgiving.  The time for family get-togethers, football and FOOD.  What a special season of togetherness and giving we enter at this time of the year.  My "challenge" for you today is "How can you simply give" this season? 

with ThanksGIVING,

Kelly