A sunny morning, but baby it's cold outside...brrrr. Wind chill is putting it at about -21 celcius and there is wind. We had incredible wind last night and after the snow faded to nothing early in the morning, it poured with rain. My only concern was a possible drop in temperature that might have frozen things to create an ice rink on the roads, but it remained mild enough. There is a slight "dusting" of snow on the ground this morning. I'm cool with it staying "just like that" for as long as possible!
After my post yesterday I thought to myself a few times how incredibly boastful I may have sounded, especially to those who don't know me. That perhaps what I had written came across as me patting myself on the back for being, gee, such a great individual!! So much for modesty!! It wasn't my intention and I have to say that the comments I've received have shown me that my intent was clear.
Kim made the comment that we don't recognize our gifts or our strengths often enough, to give ourselves that pat on the back. Simone was asking yesterday "what did you do" as a reminder to recognize our strengths and our gifts so that others can recognize them as well. And yes, that is very much what I was doing, what I was saying. Also that others sometimes see or recognize our gift when we haven't been mindful of it and it's a good thing to be reminded from time to time of the good we can do for others. Not just for the other person, but for how good it can make us feel as well.
This is new for me, to be able to recognize this and say it out loud. From the time I was a small child I can remember bemoaning and wailing about the fact that I felt I was born only to serve others, to help others and be there as "something" for someone else. I could see it only as a trial and a chore. Some of that I put down to my childhood home environment and how I was being raised. Modesty was huge in my home. We were not encouraged to talk about the good things we did or accomplished. We learned to hide under any bushel we could find. It is only within the last five years that I have actually realized what a gift this is to be born to serve others, to care for others and to help others. I often wonder what I might have done with my life, done differently if I had been able to see things more clearly at such a younger age.
It always comes back for me to how do I see this situation? How can I change my thinking, my viewpoint and my perspective. Once I have done that, it is amazing the opportunities and the possibilities that open. And in allowing someone else to recognize your gift or say that you are a blessing, you have offered them the opportunity of being a blessing as well.
Giving and receiving. Now, enough about moi. What are you giving this season? And as Simone* asked, "what did you do?" Come and share with us something wonderful that you have done -- for yourself or someone else.
*please note that Simone is having a giveaway on her blog. One that those who live in the United States are encouraged to enter. Remember -- to give is a blessing...to receive? Awesome!!! :)
8 comments:
Instead of spending money on gifts this year, we are giving what we would have spent to the SPCA. We love our furbabies so this is very close to our hearts.
I am doctoring some kind of epizutus today and hoping it doesn't turn into piggie flu!! I am all cozied up in the den with a tray full of beads, kleenex, my laptop, gingerale and my furbabies all around me and watching mindless TV!
I love you!!
LuLu~*xoxo
Hooray for you, Sherry! Some people never recognize their gifts. What a blessing to know it's your calling and giftedness to serve! Your blog is one way that you do that. Your encouragement and inspiration comes through. One important thing in caring for others is remembering to care for ourselves. from what I've read, it seems you have a healthy balance:)
Wow! What an amazing post you've written today. I remember listening to Jesse Jackson interviewing Michael Jackson a few years back. Jesse asked Michael when he first realized that he was a show-stopper. Michael responded by saying that when someone has a talent or a gift they don't really recognize it in themselves. They think that's how it is for everyone. But recognizing our gifts is just the beginning of being able to choose to use them for good and to honor their value.
You, my friend, are truly a blessing and a gift!
Thought long and hard about this. I’d have to say that I’m giving my time to others – and my “ears” in the sense of truly listening to others. And as it turns out, this becomes a giving and a receiving both for them and for myself.
I think recognizing your own gifts, your strengths is a good thing - not that boasting about them would be but I didn't feel like that was what you were doing at all. Giving ourselves little pats on the back is a very good thing as it makes us less reliant on outside recognition to feel good about ourselves. And Lord knows, I have spent enough time knocking myself or pointing out my faults...Here's to celebrating what we are doing right and well !
Something wonderful I have done for myself is to let go of the pressure to buy or make the "perfect gift". Instead I am finding little things that I think will make my friends and family know I love them. That has made a worlf of difference in the feeling of pressure I usually have at this time of year.
Soemthing wonderful I have done for others is be an ear and a shoulder to friends in need. I pride myself on being a good friend and my friendships are very precious to me. Giving the gift of good friendship...that is wonderful ! ;)
Stay cozy, lovely Sherry !
It's stinking cold here too! Ughhh:>( I was raised not to "brag on myself",I think it was a widely held belief in our parents generation that too much self esteem was bad! We've made a turn around though haven't we? Along with working on our faults we need to also take stock of our accomplishments and good attributes. Something we often forget to do!
Oh yes, we need to toot our own horns a lot more. As women it is something we (of our generation anyway) were not taught to do. So for us it is a learned skill. Good for you!
This is the best time of the year to give. I, like Lulu, give to the SA SPCA. I love to walk the dogs and and take them out of the cages to play with them.
I also give to my son's college which is also my alma mater. I always have to give to the food bank especially at this time of the year. It's such a wonderful feeling.
But these are my favorite charities.
Great post Sherry...I'll be thinking of something else I might be able to do.
xoxo
Charlie
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