29 Gifts

In the current issue of Yoga Journal, I found a little article that really excites me entitled "Overwhelming Abundance". In 2006 a young woman was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Her spiritual teacher challenged her to give a gift to another person every day for 29 days as a way to help her feel more connected to others. The gift could be anything, as long the gift was given with consciousness and intention. The woman wrote a book entitled "29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life". She also has stated a foundation; her web site is www.29gifts.org.

This idea appeals to me as December has always been a difficult month; December 1 is my mother's death anniversary and the Christmas holidays -- well, what can I say. Difficult for me personally, and lots of others as well. So this December take on this practice. I will give a gift a day for the entire month to someone.

The craft show was quite fun today. Lots of friends stopped by -- Lucy, Kate, Lynn, Michelle, Hanne. Lucy brought me back a gift for my altar -- a piece of sidewalk from Copa Cabana in Rio that a workman was digging up. And also a piece of amethyst that a friend of hers sent for me.

Today's image is one of the paintings I sold. It is a small piece, about 12" x 16". The title is "Shayna Daisy", named after my niece.

After the show Mark and I drove out West and are now here with Mike and Kande. We had a nice meal, then sat in meditation together. It is delightful to sit with friends.