I’m Going to Give 29 Gifts
Over the summer I came across a book titled 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life. Though my first reaction was to wonder who could afford to give that many gifts in this economy, after reading more, I discovered that the “gifts” don’t always have to be material things. To quote a passage from the book, “by giving, you are focusing on what you have to offer others, inviting more abundance into your life. Giving of any kind is taking a positive action that begins the process of change.”
And that leads me to this blog. My challenge as part of our Borders Resolution Solution is to try giving 29 gifts over the next 30 days in an attempt to experience how the simple act of giving can potentially transform one’s life. I invite you to join me in this challenge and together let’s discover how the gift of giving itself can unexpectedly invite abundance into our everyday routine.
Related posts:
- “29 Gifts” guest author bloghello fellow givers. sorry I have been so quiet, I have been on vacation for the last week (hmmm…a gift to myself??? LOL) and I need to catch up on my notes. I did want...
- Keep on Giving…Hello All, An update on my giving and a new post from Cami. Day 9: I came across this on-line and loved the idea. I hope you’ll click the link below and join in. There...
great idea David! I am wondering if I am up to this challenge. thanks for the idea!
Thank you for this suggestion. This economy and these wars and acts of violence often make us think of our losses and the harshness of life.
I pledge to give something to another each day in January and to put aside time to appreciate what is good in the world and in each of us.
True, I always go to work with a positive attitude. That is a gift I give people. Some days I can do better than others. My positive customer service mentality (attitude) really brightens up a persons day. Guests who come to shop often where I work, line up in front of my counter so they may receive the extra special touch I put into their day. Guests look for me when in need of help in the store, because they know I’m dedicated to helping them.
This idea of giving has been foremost in my mind for some time.Thinking and doing are 2 different things, however. The other typical resolutions don’t get me fired up any more. It is such a shame that it has taken me 57 years to arrive at this conclusion but feeling young at heart is what it is all about. I will be purchasing “29 Gifts”. Thank you for your encouragement.
Martha
Hi:
Sounds like a good idea!
Love this idea, and am looking for something to help me get through the winter cold positively. Let’s roll! Should I buy the book? (Wait, I’m asking a book buyer this, you have to say yes.) ck
This is the best resolution I’ve ever heard! Good for you David. I can’t wait to pick up the book now. Thanks!
I said to everyone,”No resolutions this year. I am tired of being disappointed in myself…but they were always about me. This resolution I can keep…and I will keep a log of what I give so I can reflect and be thankful that I CAN give. Thank you David
Happy New Years to you.
Thanks for making this your resolution, David! I, too, read the book this summer and went so far as to become a facebook fan… but haven’t put the concept into practice.
This is the additional inspiration I needed to start 2010 with a giving spirit.
I love, this idea! I’m heading to the mall now to pick up the book, this is the first I heard of it. With your idea we can brighten someones day.
This is a wonderful idea and something EVERYONE should try to do - not just in 29 days but the whole year long. We have no idea how much even the smallest gesture in our eyes, can make a huge, positive difference to another person’s life. Sometimes a simple smile or hug makes all the difference in the world (never underestimate the power of human touch).The more we give, the more natural it becomes a part of what we do in our everyday life. It affects who we become and our outlook on life in a wonderful way. If just one person reaching out can make a difference,think what millions of people reaching out can do…
What a wonderful idea - first I want to read the book - will pick it up on Thursday when I am near Borders. I will definitely try to give 29 gifts through January. It shouldn’t be hard at all to give!! Thank you for your blog!
I, too, try to offer the extra touch at the store where I work. There are so many ways to give. I admit that the other resolutions mentioned have been tried by me ad nauseum. I like your idea especially now when times are tough and we all think more of doom and gloom than joy and gratefulness.
What a wonderful idea, David.
Giving often requires a person to step out of their own world and into another’s and we tend to feel too busy or too scared…
Hi David! This idea is so you. Finding your blog with this “crazy” sort of “pay it forward” idea is truly inspiring. Have already got started on it. Don’t know if i can do 29 days, but after day 1, i do feel good & more optimistic about things. Thanks
What a wonderful idea
I will probably spread my 29 gifts out a little, but I will give an example that made me feel great.
At Thanksgiving I was picking up an arrangement at a grocery store and the clerk was so helpful with my selection. I told her thank you and I had never seen her before at this store. She told me she had lost most of her retirement and was thankful for a new job to help out. I estimated she was probably in her late 60’s or early 70’s.
I left the floral dept and did my grocery shoppibng for the holiday and then I returned to floral and grabbed a beautiful red and gold mum she had suggested and bought it also.
When the cashier checked me out up front, I asked her to give it to the clerk who had helped me and tell her Happy Thansgiving. When I was loading my car, she ran out of the store and hugged me. I felt ten feet tall because I had given her a little gift of happiness.
The day after Thanksgiving I was out Christmas shopping for my two and after much help from a clerk, I then purchased a gift card, call the manager and complimented the employee and left the gift card for Dan the clerk. I hope he enjoyed it.
My mom always said “Always be kinder than necessary” and what a beautiful feeling when we are.
Happy New Year everyone and God Bless our country may it become a kinder place if we all do 29 gifts.
Lynne Adams
David, I LOVE this idea. I read the book and have been trying it but can’t get past Day 10, so I have started over a couple of times. I am on Day 3 and it is a resolution in 2010 to get through at least two 30 day cycles. If I get through this one I will only need to do one more. I am going to try this with you. Hope you can help to keep me motivated.
I hope this blog stays active, and I hope everyone will post what they did to give others some good ideas for gift giving.
Feeling the news & winter glums before reading this, I looked back on my recent days to discover I have offered gifts. I will consciously continue and include acknowledging myself when I do so.
Dec.29,10:30 am
I will try this starting today! I haven’t read the book but love the concept.
I did this challenge last year at this same time. Fond memories and a truly great year followed from it. I did it for 3 months on an online 29 Days of giving program. One of the ways I gave that I will suggest here, picking up trash along the sides of streets and in the shrubs in my neighborhood and surrounding areas. It was good exercise too! People came out of their homes to see what I was doing, thanked me, and proceeded to say that they should be doing this too. It seems to have caught on to some extent, even a year later.
Kim,
great ideas LOVE IT! Thank you for sharing
Lynne
What a wonderfully refreshing idea! I’m looking forward to getting this book and starting out the New Year in a “giving” frame of mind.
Thanks for the idea, David!
I try to give all the time, just not sure that I do, I am going really focus and give the 29 gifts…I hope this catches on to a WHOLE LOTTA PEOPLE! Wouldn’t it be GREAT!
What a wonderful idea. I know that a lot of the self-help community talks about giving and gratitude, so in 2009 I began to take note of what I am grateful for and now I can add giving to my list of things to do.
It so happens when I went to get my monthly haircut last week, I was talking to someone who mentioned how much I had to give kids in the way of knowledge and encouragement. I gave her my contact info and she said she would be in touch with me about ways I can volunteer. This is something I have thought about doing, but never really pursued it.
I start class on Jan 6, (2 qtrs to go to get my masters). Once I get my syllabus so I know where my class commitments will be, I will start searching my community for volunteer activities.
I do not know if I can do 29 days of giving in one month as there are some days I don’t go anywhere or see anyone to give to, but I promise to give to someone every time I go out.
I’m up for the challenge, David! Thanks!
GO JACKIE
What a great challenge! I’ve been trying something similar for the last couple of months (trying to find a positive in everything), but this “kicks it up” a bit. I’m really looking forward to this!
I commit to this challenge because I somehow always feel like I should be giving more! Not just material gifts but giving in all aspects of my life which I feel I don’t do! So, thank you for this “challenge”!
David,
I love the sound of this challenge and will have to check out the book…this would be a great thing for everyone to do. I am on board!
Rock on D.L.
Thanks David for this great idea and to everyone here for posting your thoughts and ideas! What a wonderful way to start out 2010! I’ve been so focused on all the “bad” stuff that happened in 2009 and am determined to make 2010 better in many ways. Here’s another simple gift idea:
Last year I was waiting in line at the drive thru of my favorite coffee place and when I got up to the window to pay for mine, the barista handed me my latte and said that the person in the car in front of me had paid for mine. Wow! I couldn’t believe it and it really made my day. Now I do this every now and then for the person in the car behind me. It’s fun to think about the smile on their face when they are told it’s already paid for.
I will also check out the book but it’s definitely something I can consciously start right away. I think I’ll keep a journal about it too and try to focus on things I’m truly grateful for. Thanks Everyone! And Happy New Year!
Heidi
What a great idea and a great way to start the New Year. I read the blog after I was at Borders so I ordered it and I can’t wait to read it. I’ll be checking back in soon. Thanks and Happy New Year.
I’m looking forward to the daily postings. Hope to learn from your experience, and I’ll try my best to follow along a day or two behind you. ~Amy
What a great idea!! I love books like this. If only everyone could do randon acts of kindness daily!!
I can’t wait to read the book!!
What a beautiful idea David!! Great way to send out positive energy,make people happy and bring more positive energy back to you!
Lots of love and best wishes in the New Year!
xoxo
Adriana
Fantastic! How great that you’re doing this. I think the best gift anyone can ever give is their patience & a lending ear. People just want to be treated kindly & appreciated for who they are.
Miss you bunches! Kisses & hugs from P-ville.
Love the idea. When we give we always get more back in return. I’ve been telling my husband that for years.
Thanks for the challenge. I’ll do it!
This is the push I needed. I have been gearing up to dig out my old “Simple Abundance’works by Sarah Breathnach and work forward with gratitude after an exceptionally difficult couple of years. Tomorrow is our anniversary and I am giving the ‘29 gifts’ plan to my husband. It is the principle I have been trying to teach him for fifty years. I think this will help him out of his BLUES. Thank you for starting this Blog. It’s the first I’ve ever been interested in.
I had to come back and see the other posts. I sense some excitement here! I will get the book and I feel challenged to watch for opportunities in which to give to others. This is such a great way to pull ourselves out of our own worlds! Thanks again!!!
Thank You for this opportunity to share and get involved! I am a hairstylist and we share the washer/dryers at work and someone folded my towels for me once so I did it for someone else and she will also pay it forward
It feels really great to do such a little thing and have someone so tickled and appreciative 
Wishing all a healthy, prosperous, and joyous new 2010!
I came across this book when I was doing holiday shopping and didn’t buy it at the time because I was focused on gifts for other people, not me; although, maybe this would have made a great gift for someone. I haven’t stopped thinking about the concept and decided to buy it January 1 and take the challenge myself. I’m off to the store to buy it!
I must say I am thrilled with all of the exciting posts so far and am so glad you have all decided to join me on our quest to give. My goal is to post daily on how my giving is progressing and I hope you will all do the same. I’d like for us all to share ideas of things we’ve done that might help others along. I only have two rules. 1. Have FUN!!! and 2. Do NOT stress out about giving. Use your gut, intuition, whatever strikes you, be it big or small. You do not have to spend money, any kindness that enriches another is a gift.
So today was day 1 and what popped into my head was what a drag it is to have to work on a Holiday (thank goodness for me some stores are open but unfortunate for the stores staff). So I decided when I went to my local grocery store that I’d give a giftcard to the bagger. The best part of it all was the stunned and confused look on the kids face. It was a mixture of “OMG, an adult is talking to me” and “oh boy, what did I do”. Needless to say the expression was worth it all. It is really inspiring when you do something kind and selfless without any expectations. It makes me want to look for ways to continue do it.
Once again, thank you all for participating with me and remember, have fun!!!!
David
David,
thanks for the reminder! I read this book not too long ago, but all the great ideas had really already fallen off my radar. I am re-inspired. Thanks!
Kimberly
Redmond, WA
As i get older I try to infuence my family by relating some of the things I have learned on my journey. This is exactly what I was thinking of. I will read the book and stay with this blog.. count me in. the world needs more of people like this…keep it up and the world will be a better place.
thanks for the push forward..
Bill in Ohio
I am likewise inspired. This is precisely what the new year should be about!
David,
I am truely inspired by your challenge. I think this is the best challenge of the 4! I am only 16 and think that giving to others is one of the best things you can do in your life. That boy you gave the giftcard to will hopefully learn from you and share your kindness with someone else and so on to create an effect. Everyone reading this can create something much more. Thank You
Hi… love this focus. My effort of late (as I downsize my spending to fit my projected retirement income next year) is to find ways to give that cost little or nothing, or which can be shared. I am working on fitness and weightloss, too, and have cancer survivors - and not - in my family - so I was tickled to find the beewellmiles thing, which donates 15 cents a mile for every mile walked, cycled, or run up to 20 per day. As I want to stay active anyway (I walk 5-8 miles most days according to my trusty pedometer!), it’s fun to watch the miles and donations to cancer treatment add up. (Think childhood walkathon without having to go get sponsors.) I found this last year toward the middle of the giving season, and still got about 300 miles on the chart. I’m the regional chair of a disabled workers group, so I’m challenging some of them to play - we usually have 15-20 who are up for doing this kind of thing for the President’s Fitness Challenge, which starts in spring - so I imagine we will have a few takers to walk, roll (hey, wheelchairs are like biking with your arms, right?) or run toward the charity each day.
Sorry to go on so long - I’ve got a few others of this sort that I do, but am always looking for more. (My Twin has a critter rescue organization - once I’m retired I’m hoping to donate some communication time to that - in my real life I work as a writer! Once I retire - I’ll probably still work a a writer, but in a different way.)
oops… didn’t take the typo correction. a writer’s life is a writer’s life.
This definitely puts giving in the forefront. I try everyday to do one bit of activism whether it is a letter to my Senators and/or Congressman, or a Government Official here or abroad to help someone’s cause or need I believe in. I send cards to the elderly, sad, those who serve, and infirm. I make them when I can. I collect for the local soup kitchen and am always cleaning out my own stuff for them and other organizations as well. This is a great idea, and I will try to do even more giving in 2010. I believe I will include my one thing in my daily journal. It is another way of showing gratitude. I LOVE BORDERS!