A Gift of Words

"A gift of words" is a term I heard used time and time again by one of my professors in college.  She would say that one of the greatest gifts you could ever give another person was a gift of words. I can't tell you the number of times I've been reminded of that statement when I've received a sweet note from a family member or a written thank-you from a friend.  Those "gifts of words" make me feel like the most important person in the world at that moment.  What could be a better gift than that!?

                                                                               
So I've challenged myself through these years to be a note writer.  Even if it's on a post-it, scribbled in crayon.  There is never an act too small that doesn't deserve a "thank you" and it's so much more meaningful when put to pen.

 How many times have you received a card when all it had inside was the card poem and a signature?  Not much thought put into that!  It's easy to rush through the card aisle, grab the first card you see (preferably one that plays music), scribble in your name, lick, seal and send.  Hmmmm.....what about sitting down with pen and paper, thinking about what the person has done for you or means to you and conveying your deepest feelings or thanks. 

Then there are the notes and letters to send to people for no reason at all....just to tell them you are thinking of them.   What a gift!

Thoughts and idea:
>Letters sent through mail are extra special
>Ecards are fun and many are free (but make sure you write a message inside)
>You don't have to splurge on an expensive card. Invest in inexpensive stationary.  It will last you a long time.
>Notes don't always have to be long.  Quality over quantity.
>Send a note of thanks for even the smallest acts of kindness.  Even if people have just been a blessing or example to you, they deserve a thanks.
> Think of those who maybe don't have family, many friends or the elderly who are shut in or in a nursing home.

>Go beyond letters.   Test your artisitic side and try writing a peom, a song or an acrostic.

>Be creative. For example: 20 things I love about you; 10 reasons I'm glad you're my friend;  10 ways you've been a blessing to me

I'm sure you could think of many other ways to give a gift of words.  These are just a few ideas. Watch and see how great YOU feel when these gifts of words are given to others.

Two Sides Of The Rainbow

I suppose every ones first entry in their blog is sort of an explanation and history behind the thoughts and content that will follow. So here I am, not knowing how else to begin but to do just that. But I'll actually let someone else start for me: "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore....We must be over the rainbow!" When I was in kindergarten, I had a friend (Shannon was her name) who showed up one day with a pair of what I deemed as "ruby red slippers". They sparkled and glittered just like the real thing, and they even had little bows on each toe. I hoped and wished the I too would someday have my very own pair of ruby slippers. Many years later, my desire for shiney footwear has changed but I still secretly long for my "somewhere over the rainbow". Dorthy found it, but "why then, oh why can't I?" : ) But when I stop and think about the entire story of the "Wizrd of OZ", Dorthy ended up clicking her gorgeous, glitzy heels together and repeating "There's no place like home!" That adventure and excitement that she had always been longing for was indeed no comparison to her own precious and loving home, family and friends. So when my life looks a little sepia tinted and colorless, I have to remind myself that the "over the rainbow" I'm searching for is filled with witches, talking trees, flying monkies and "lions and tigers and bears! Oh, my!"

But who wants to live life without color? This is where you CREATE color! How many times have you looked forward to some "big" event in your life only to feel a let down when it's all over? Make everyday a big event and everything you do something special. Use the resources God has given you and enjoy His daily and abundant blessings. This is MY side of the rainbow and it's only as colorful as I allow it to be.


"If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with."
                                                                                                  ~Dorothy