the magic of giving (& first ever giveaway!)

 

  
  
 
  "You give little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."

Kahlil Gibran
 

Right after Thanksgiving, the topic of giving becomes extra prominent in American culture. Commercials are suddenly all about giving gifts. Stores everywhere are posting signs and decorations claiming that they have just the gift you're looking for. While I have to say that the consumerism of the holiday season does overwhelm me at times, I do love the idea of giving gifts. Cliche as it sounds, the thought really does count and it's so wonderful to see someone open a gift you've taken the time to pick out, purchase, and wrap. Giving is one of those things that makes me feel really happy, really positive, and I'm really looking forward to the season of giving this year -- both in a tangible, gift-wrapped sense and in the abstract way we all give to one another without even realize it.

Just think about how much you give on a daily basis -- your time, your love, your attention, your thoughts, your words -- and you'll be amazed. Giving gifts is wonderful, but there's a lot more to giving than just gifts. It's something we all do, all the time, without even realizing it. Just right now I'm giving of myself by writing this post. Right now you're giving of yourself by reading this post. We're all giving (and taking!) without even realizing it, which is one of the reasons giving is so magical. It's something that takes on a life of its own without most of us even realizing what an impact it has on our everyday lives. This year, while I'm sure I'll still be giving lots and lots of gifts, I also want to think about just how magical giving can be and how I can give more of myself to others.

The Magic of Giving 

Gift giving is truly magic. It's something we can all do and it doesn't necessarily require money. The more I've thought about gift giving lately (and who isn't thinking about it a lot at this time of year?!), the more I've realized just how much giving gifts helps me to stay positive and to stay present. For as long as I can remember, giving has been something that has excited me. Yes, at times it's stressed me out too (I can picture myself standing in the middle of the mall frantically thinking, "What in the world am going to get her?!?"), but for the most part, giving really does bring me a lot of happiness. I love spending time thinking about what someone else might like. Because of this, I find that I am more alert when the people close to me are speaking. I'm always listening for clues, wondering if their words could somehow be transformed into the perfect gift. For this reason, gift giving actually helps me to stay present, to stay focused on the moment and what others are saying. 

Gift giving keeps me present -- tuned into what those around me are saying and wanting -- and it also keeps me positive. Giving gifts makes me feel great because it makes other people feel great. Of course it's awesome to make yourself feel good, but there's nothing quite making someone else smile, is there? And that's what gifts are symbolic of -- that sharing of a good feeling. It's pretty awesome, really, that we can pick something out, give that something to someone else, and see how happy it makes that person. It may seem materialistic and unnecessary to some, but the act of giving gifts really means a lot to me. It's something that shows others that you care, that you're thinking of them, and, most importantly, that what they like and care about matters to you.

That being said, I realize that it's not just about gifts, is it? I was sitting here, struggling to think of how I could write about gift giving without it coming out entirely cliche, and a book on my shelf caught my eye. I reached over and brought it to my desk, cracking it open to today's date. Oddly enough, the passage in Courage To Change read: "If I so choose I can regard everything that happens in my life as a gift from which I can learn and grow." Just seeing the word "gift" made me smile because I realized that I didn't need to write a lengthy post on how giving is great and how we should give more of ourselves. All I needed to do was realize that life -- and everything in it -- is a gift. Life really is a gift and all of the things we experience in it are amazing. We have the ability to share our experiences, our gifts, with others as well. We can do this through the actual telling of what we've experience or we can do this through more subtle ways, such as a smile or a hug. We have the ability to share our talents as gifts by doing what we're good at and sharing it with the world. 

Around this time of year the act of giving really becomes a focus, but we all know that material things aren't always the kinds of gifts others need to receive. Giving doesn't all have to do with a pretty bow and a perfect package. There are so many ways we can give to others... countless ways, in fact! The holiday season really brings gift-giving to mind, but today I want to think about it in a different way. I want to think about it as something I can do by just being me. We all can give just by being who we are. Giving is such a wonderful thing and there are so many ways to give. We don't need to shop or wrap or stress (though I'm sure we will do a lot of those things). We just to be. That alone is a gift in and of itself and it really is pure magic. I'd love to hear about how you've  experienced the magic of giving in your own life so tell me... 

What's the best thing you've been given? 
What is the best thing you've given someone else? 

(Answer either of these and follow the rules below and you could have a chance to WIN!) 

The Giveaway

Since today I wrote about giving, I thought it would be a great day to have my very first giveaway on Positively Present. The other day I came across this amazing site -- Vol 25 -- and I'm so pleased that the creator, Jessica, agreed to give away a print to one lucky reader today. Jessica's work is amazing and it's such a honor to be able to highlight her awesome talent on Positively Present. Jessica describes herself as "a completely self-taught artist, constantly inspired by every day moments." She is a mother to a very dramatic five-year-old princess and she also has a seventeen-month-old daughter who she more accurately describes as a monkey. She married her husband and best friend (aww!) six years ago. With each piece of art she creates, it is her hope that it will give at least one person the warm fuzzies. Jessica told me that a heartfelt customer testimonial is just about the greatest payment you can receive.  Want to enter for a chance to win any $20 print from Vol 25? Here are the rules... 

Leave a comment below with the following information: 

• Tell me what's the best thing you've given or been given
• Let me know which print you like best (see Vol 25's website for all $20 prints)
• Include your email address so I can contact you if you win

Leave an extra comment for each of the following things you do: 

• Subscribe to Positively Present's RSS feed
• Receive Positively Present via email
• Follow @positivepresent on Twitter
• Mention this post on a social media site
• Email friends/family about this post
• Stumble this post on StumbleUpon

Remember, the more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win, so make sure to leave extra comments if you do any of the things listed below! The winner will be picked at random on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 and will be announced on Friday, December 4, 2009. Don't forget to leave your email in your comments so I can contact the winner! 

Comments

[chris swan]

The best gift I was given was my engagement ring. It means so much to me.

I love the YOU ARE UNIQUE poster. So true!

malleycc (at) hotmail (dot) com

[The Emotion Machine]

The greatest gift I have ever been given is the gift of life from my Mom and Dad.

I like the "Seeds of Freedom" one.

My e-mail is shandel2@binghamton.edu

Thanks for doing this!

[Donica]

Awesome. I'm loving the post, and so excited to see such a fantastic giveaway!

I have been blessed with many good people who are so giving and one of those special gifts was my brother taking me out on a sushi date after I had a hard breakup. He was such a gentlemen. <3

I really like "Bound to you" in vintage blue.

mycreativemonsters@gmail.com

[Positively Present]

Chris - That's a great thing to be thankful for! :) I also like the You Are Unique poster... it's a great one!

The Emotion Machine - The gift of life is probably the best gift we've all been given. I'm glad you brought that one up!

Donica - Aww, it sounds like you have a great brother. Breakups are the worst and it's so wonderful to have a supportive family during tough times.

[Claudia]

The best and most precious gift I have been given is my daughter, nothing compares to the feeling of beeing a mom and she makes it all even better.

I like the one with the hippos, as it would be for her. We just went to the zoo and when I asked her what was her favorite animal she said the hippos :)

My email is: gordillo.claudia@hotmail.com

[Elle Riley]

The best thing I've been given is an opportunity to show what I'm made of.

I like the "i heart typewriters" print.

elle@elleriley.com

[Positively Present]

Claudia - That's a wonderful gift, indeed! So funny that you mentioned hippos. When I was a little girl, I was obsessed with hippos for some odd reason. I had hippo EVERYTHING and thought they were the greatest. I'm sure your little girl would love that hippo print!

Elle - I love the gift you've mentioned. I feel like I've been given that gift as well and I'm so thankful for it!

[J.D. Meier]

Gift giving is an interesting reflection ...
- do you give the gift somebody wants, or what you want?
- do you do it from generosity or reciprocity?
- do you make it personal, or is it just generic?
- do you give gifts late or on time?
- does it have significance, or is it insignificant?
- do you enjoy the process, or is it just an exercise in getting things done?

For me, I like to give the gifts that are personalized ... that mean something to somebody, and I enjoy the process.

My Mom always liked the things I made myself the most, but I haven't made anything in a long time.

[Melissa Hope S.]

I love this give away!
I make jewelry and I love to give away my pieces for birthdays and Christmas. I put so much thought and time into them. I think that my friends and family can see that and it means more to them than a store-bought gift.
I love the "I measure my life in coffee spoons" print. That is totally me!
My email is mhsgemini37@gmail.com.

[Hope F.]

The best thing I've been given was my laptop. I desperately needed a new one and did not have the resources to buy one, so my father graciously got the one I wanted even though I strictly need all of its features.

I like the "Hope is only..." in blue.

[Hope F.]

I have followed you on twitter as ConnaughtGirl.

[Eric]

Now that I think of it, the best gifts I've recieved are pretty simple. I like it when someone buys me lunch. The gift of food is great to me, and it's just a simple way of recognized friendship.

I like "The Journey" in orange.
eric at edenjournal dot com

[Positively Present]

J.D. - What great questions you've raised in your comment! Thank you for taking the time to post those because they've definitely made me think more about giving. Like you, I also really like personalized gifts. They're the best!

Melissa - Handmade gifts are the best. It's awesome that you make yours for family and friends and I'm sure they really appreciate the effort you take to make them.

Hope - I really think my computer is one of my favorite gifts too. As a writer, it's really important to me and it means a lot to me that someone recognized that and gave it to me as a gift. Thanks for following me on Twitter!

Eric - Simple gifts can be the most important gifts. All of the little things (like buying someone lunch) really do add up!

[Syd]

I've been given so much that it's hard to state just one thing. I think that the best thing that I've been given is love.

[Becky]

There are too many things to name the best thing. But I am so grateful i was given parents who taught me to be true to myself and who taught me to love.

I am in love with all of them! I am so glad you brought these to my attention! favorites are: in love, love who you are, my love, do all things with love, and hello world.

Becky

[Becky]

I have subscribed to you! love you positive site!

[Stephen - Rat Race Trap]

Dani, when I was reading your words about giving gifts, all I could think of was "she's such a girl!" :-)

I'm not really into gifts, it seems such an effort for something that people often don't appreciate anyway.

My favorite gift came from my mother. She loved reading books when I was young, although now she seems to only read the Internet. Anyway she encouraged me to read books and from them I developed my love of mystery and reading in general. Before long I was obsessed and remain that way to this day.

[Cait]

My favorite gifts to give are ones that truly suit the person and their needs/wants. For example, one time I remembered a friend pointing out the perfume she'd always wanted in a magazine weeks later when we were shopping for her birthday. She was so absolutely excited, it was amazing.

My favorite print is "Yes, You're the Fairest." It was hard to choose, though!

My email is tink.inthepink@gmail.com

[Cait]

I'm also an RSS subscriber. I love your blog!

[Cait]

I just followed you on Twitter, as @princesscait.

[Positively Present]

Syd - I know what you mean... Life is filled with gifts and it's hard to choose just one, but love is a great one!

Becky - I'm lucky to have awesome parents too. All of Jessica's prints are awesome too, aren't they? Thanks for subscribing to the blog! You'll be entered in the contest twice. :)

[Positively Present]

Stephen - Haha, I'm definitely a girly girl for sure! The love of reading is a fantastic gift. How wonderful of your mother to give that to you!

Cait - Thanks so much for commenting, subscribing, and following me on Twitter! You're awesome! :) I completely agree that the best gifts are the ones that people really want (and it's great if you can make them a surprise like you did!).

[Blanca Leon]

The best gift given to me was from one of the rape victims of the center I volunteer at she hugged and told me "she'd been lost if I hadn't been there for her"... it made me realize I was on the right path.

Favorite print - i will be grateful for this day-TTV
Email - bmirella1@hotmail.com

[Blanca Leon]

RSS feed follower...Love your writings

[kathleen]

The best gift I've ever received (and continue to receive each day) is the love of my husband - he loves me exactly as I am!
They're all lovely but I think my choice is the Do All Things With Love poster.
kiwibok01 at gmail dot com

thanks :-)

[shanti R]

The best gift that I've ever received is a kiss from my baby brother =)

indigirl96@aol.com

My favorite is the "I measure my life in coffee spoons by T.S. Eliot" poster

Awesome!

[shanti R]

RSS follower!

Love your blog!

-SS

My favorite poster is the "I measure my life coffee spoons" one.
indigirl96@aol.com

[shanti R]

the best gift that I've ever received is a kiss from my baby brother when I was a little girl. Truly amazing =)

my favorite poster is the "I measure my life in coffee spoons." one.

-SS

indigirl96@aol.com

[Positively Present]

Blanca - That is a WONDERFUL gift you mentioned! It's amazing when someone validates what you're doing and you can realize that you're truly making a difference. That's so awesome that you volunteer there. You're making the world a better place!

Kathleen - It's so amazing to find someone who loves you exactly as you are. You're very lucky and I'm sure your husband is too! :)

Shanti - Aww, that's very cute! How great to have a close relationship with your baby brother! Thank you so much for subscribing to the blog. You're awesome!

[Annabel Candy, Get In the Hot Spot]

I got 3 babies off my husband. That was nice!

Love the Love who you are print:)

I love giving things to kids. They're incredibly grateful and usually easily pleased.

[Positively Present]

Annabel - Three babies! Those sound like pretty good gifts! :) And I agree about giving things to children. It's awesome how excited they get about the littlest things.

[Jonathan Campbell]

I gave and put out a Welcome Home sign, to someone who I've lived with for years.

A Smart Person
jindalee1@hotmail.com

Great post D, I have made a special effort to Make NOV 30 & DEC 1 the greatest days ever. I got what I wished for. It's just ticked over to DEC 2. Am already excited.

[Positively Present]

Jonathan - How awesome that you've made an effort to make those days special. It's only early in the morning here on December 1st so I'll make sure I make today a special one!

[Blueanka]

Hi. Love your site and I always come back for the daily dose of optimism and creativity.
The dearest thing I have been given was a leather bracelet, which one of my friends took off his wrist and gave it to me last new year's eve party. I paid forward the giving feeling, when I offered that same bracelet in a charitable auction last month.

My favourite poster is A smart person.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35709634

My e-mail is anka(at)hopsi.eu

Good luck,
a

[Positively Present]

Blueanka - Thank you for the compliment! I'm so glad you enjoy the site. I love the story of the bracelet. How wonderful that you took your favorite gift and gave it away. I love that!

[Nicole D.]

The best thing I have been given is a necklace with my daughter's birthstone on it. The print I would choose is: a smart person. ndz917[ay]yahoo[dot]com
Thanks!

[Positively Present]

Nicole - That sounds like a very special necklace. What a nice gift! :)

[Sami - Life, Laughs & Lemmings]

I'm with Syd, best gift ever is love - from my family, my friends who might as well be family and my one in a million partner.

Giving for me these days is more about experiences. I prefer to give people some sort of experience rather than an object, mostly because I love the idea of them creating memorable moments.

You have such a generous spirit Dani. Thanks for holding the giveaway.

I totally love the "I Will Be Grateful for This Day" print.

Email is sami at lifelaughsandlemmings dot com.

[Sami - Life, Laughs & Lemmings]

Long time RSS subscriber!

[Melissa Donovan]

What a heartwarming post, a great way to start the season of giving. I know that I got warm fuzzies just reading this :)

The best thing I've been given is my cat, Boo. He is a treasure for my heart, a gift from my sister, who rescued him from a box of unwanted kittens knowing he'd find a home here with me.

I love the Knowledge Speaks print (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35598593)

[Melissa Donovan]

Oh yes, and I'm subscribed via Google Reader!

[I TAKE OFF THE MASK]

First of all, thank you for giving of yourself and writing this post :-) In truth I guess giving is also receiving in itself, it is when we give that we feel more alive and joyful!

[Positively Present]

Sami - I agree that Syd was on to something with his gift -- love. It's such an amazing gift and it's something we all have the power to give. I also love what you said about experiences. They are the best kinds of gifts!

Melissa - Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I love that you mentioned your cat. I love my dog so much and she's one of the greatest things I've ever been given. It warms my heart to hear that you are giving a home to a rescued animal. You've given Boo such a gift!

ITakeOffTheMask - You're welcome! I agree that giving is also receiving, which is why it makes us feel so alive and joyful when we do it. Great comment!

[Alexandrea M]

The best thing that I have been given is my friends. Especially my ex husband, who although it's been a struggle at times to remain friends...brings a lot of joy and positivity into my life.
Never a bad thing to have a friend who has known you for 15 years!

[Wendy]

Hi Dani, I've been reading your blog for a while now and finally signed up to receive your updates by email not too long ago.

The most amazing gift I received recently... my dad gave my son and I the down-payment to buy our very own home. I still get teary-eyed with gratitude!

I love the print "we are shaped by our thoughts"... in the silhouette of a woman, I think it's not only beautiful but powerful!

Wendy (wendyg36@gmail.com)

[Positively Present]

Alexandrea - Friends are one of life's greatest gifts for sure. I'm so lucky to have the ones I do! That's great that you have been able to maintain a friendship with your ex. It really is rewarding to spend time with someone who has known you for years.

Wendy - Thanks for reading and for signing up for updates! :) And what an amazing gift from your dad! He sounds like a great guy and that's so wonderful that he's been so generous to you. I agree with your comment about the print -- I think I'm going to be ordering that one for myself!

[Shipra]

The best gift that I've received is the gift of life.

Awesome contest!
My favorite print is the one that says - my life is made of coffee spoons.

sroy390@gmail.com
- SR

[Positively Present]

Shipra - Life is definitely a pretty awesome gift and we're all so lucky have received it! Thanks for the comment and for entering the contest!