It's Fun to be a Giver - Give The Precious Gift of Your Time

 

Our time is a beautiful gift. We can give it to others when we listen to or do something kind for them. So, during this festive season or any time really, it’s fun to think about giving a gift of our time, the gift that we can all afford and is the most precious gift we can give.  Some time giving ideas include, taking the time to ……

• Listen to others, really listen. Take the time to connect and be engaged and available
• Help someone get to where they need to go. Take time to give directions or take them there. 
• Meet with others, especially those in need of connection.  Have a coffee, a meal, go for a walk, do a shared activity or go on an outing. 
• Visit or call someone who may be lonely.  
• Do a job or errant for someone like shopping, gardening or whatever they need.
• Cook something. Make a meal or bake something for someone in need or just for fun gift!
• Sing. Except if you are like me and your talents lie elsewhere. 
• Volunteer. I get so much out of volunteering.
• Write a letter, card text or email. You can pop it in the post too. While on holidays, I used to send my mum lots of postcards. It was a fun way to share our holiday with her.
• The Home-Made Kris Kringle. 

In our family we have an interesting variation to Secret Santa or Kris Kringle It is the home-made Kris Kringle, where the gifts need to be handmade. This gift involves the precious gift of our time, sometimes lots of it, especially if things don’t go as planned. There has been lots of activity going on and I have been able to fill in for Mum, our ‘help line’ go to person, with some sewing and crafty help. At times I can feel a little stressed and intimidated by my creative family and have trouble thinking of something to make. However, when I accept the feeling of stress or performance anxiety and tune into my wise self, I am reminded….

• When we put love into our giving, as Mother Teressa suggests, we are able to think about the person and what would be just right for them. 
• It’s fun to have a go at being creative with both gift buying and making
• To let go of high unrealistic expectations and to do my best to make or find something that my recipient would love. 
• I don’t need to restrict my gift making and giving to Christmas. It’s fun anytime.
• This year I have taken on this wise advice and had fun doing my best to make something I hope my recipient will find amusing, practical and useful. I’ll share with you all what interesting Kris Kringle things our family came up with next year. 

 
Whatever talents you have and I’m sure there are many, remember to take the time to use them to share with and give to others.
 
With love and my very best wishes to us all 
Maree xx

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