Gifts that Keep on Giving
A phonecall, a cupcake, a toonie, a book, a hug, a coffee, a recommendation, an email, a secret ingredient, a bottle of wine, a compliment…this is my tally so far after 11 days of giving and yes, it feels good.
Small things to give, but according to Cami Walker, author of 29 Gifts – How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life, these little things, given consciously every single day as a practice, can be transformational.
Cami was diagnosed with MS just a month after her wedding day. She quickly sank into depression and a dark vortex of too many prescription drugs to numb the physical and emotional pain.
One day, after suffering for almost two years with the debilitating effects of the disease, Cami got an unlikely prescription from her friend and spiritual advisor, Mbali Creazzo: “Give away 29 gifts in 29 days.”
Mbali, after telling Cami to stop thinking about herself, to stop focusing on her disease because that’s what feeds it, keeps it alive, says: “Healing doesn’ t happen in a vacuum, but through our interactions with other people. 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. It will shift your energy for life.”
Cami didn’t take the advice immediately, thinking it too simple. But eventually, it came back to her and she decided to give it a try. She was amazed by what unfolded. So much so that she wrote this book and began an online community which is now over 11,000 people strong, all giving gifts to others around the world and sharing their experiences with the community.
The prescription does sound simple. But it can be a revelation. By day 29, Cami’s health and happiness had turned around. Generosity leads to abundance.
Even if you’re born generous and you have no disease to recover from, it’s the act of consciously thinking kindness, daily coming up with things to give and people to give them to that becomes a catalyst for change. Try it. You’ll discover something profound–and you’ll make yourself and others feel great. That’s groovin’ with the woowoo:)
I’ll be on the road for the next week or two. The challenge will be to come up with a gift each and every day while traveling. Any ideas?
