Today I Choose: DETERMINATION

Today I Choose: HARMONY

Today I choose: STRENGTH

Today I Choose: BREATHE

Slow down.
Take a deep breath.
Just relax.
And BREATHE.

Today I Choose: BELIEVE

Life is all about choices. I believe.

Today I Choose: GRATITUDE

Gratitude for the big things.
Gratitude for the little things.
Gratitude for the easy things.
Gratitude for the hard things.



We have been having such a wonderful fall. Makes me thankful and happy!!

Today I Choose: FAITH

Faith in God.
Faith in Life.
Faith in Me.

Sunset at the pond

Lilacs

Pine needles

Love the color of this tree right now.

Attitude

Attitude is 90% of life.

Do Overs - Day 1

I know that I've been ignoring this blog, but I have been trying to "give" a little something at least on most days. I've just been really horrible at the journaling part. I'm going to make a commitment again to start at Day 1 and go for 29 days.

Last week I won a cupcake from Beth at Rhubarb & Venison. It came from Patisserie on Fourth, a really great bakery in Bismarck. I was so excited to win something, that I decided to "pay it forward". I purchased certificates for two desserts and two cupcakes that I could also give away. I've had the certificates for a week, and finally remembered today to give them away. I found two ladies in the parking lot at Kirkwood Mall that had never been to Patisserie on Fourth. I hope that they enjoy their freebies. I still have two more to give away next week. It made me feel happy to give those away.

Day 12

We are in Florida, staying with friends. Mary is an avid bird lover. She told me that she really wanted a different bird book, as the one that she currently owns doesn't give all of the information that she is after. I purchased a field guide for her gift today.

Day 11

I'm bummed. I was traveling most of the day, and didn't get a chance to do much of anything. I will start again with Day 1 tomorrow.

Day 10

Today I give with purpose. My husband and I went for a walk on the beach this morning, and I picked up all of the trash that I found laying on the beach. There was plenty, I was surprised.

Day 9

Today I give with abundance. This isn't as easy as I thought that it would be while we're on vacation. We went for a sunset sail this evening, and there were only six people on the cruise. The crew said that the last few days had been very slow. We made sure that we tipped them very well before we left as it was a GREAT sail.

Seashells

Today I gave two small children at the beach a couple of big seashells that I had found. I've also been much more patient with my husband. =D
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Day 8

Affirmation for the day: Today I give with patience.

My husband and I are traveling today, so that means a lot of "togetherness". I admit, I'm not always the most patient person that I can be around him. He and I are usually not even on the same playing field. My gift today was to be more patient and tolerant with him. It didn't work out for the entire day, but I did take a lot of deep breaths today and bite my tongue, when I normally would have made a smart ass comment. There were no major blow-ups by the end of the day.

Day 7

Today was easy. A friend of mine got married a couple of weeks ago. They've been living together for quite a few years now, but he's recently found out that he has terminal cancer and they decided to get married and get everything taken care of. I wanted to get something special and have been racking my brain trying to figure it out. I finally figured it out while I was in the shower this morning. I'm going to set up a photo shoot with the two of them. She'll have some nice photos that will be special memories for her.

Day 6

Well, I almost didn't make it today. I had a very busy day, and just didn't get around to a gift for anyone. I had thought about it a couple of times, but that was as far as it went. Then tonight, I went to the little convenience store and bought a drumstick for my husband. I know that they are his favorite type of ice cream. He's enjoying it as I write this. On the way home, I noticed that my cousin's garbage can lid had blown off, so I stopped and replaced it for her, so it would not blow away. I guess that little trip to the store was a double whammy. =D

Day 5

Today I gave a spatula that I had been carrying around as a sample in my computer bag to a friend. I had been planning on keeping it for myself, but decided that it would be a good gift for the day.

Day 4

When I left this morning, I had no idea what I was going to give for the day, but trusted that an opportunity would present itself. It did. One of my customers will be doing a fundraiser next week and is looking for donations of coffee and juice. I was able to go to the store and buy the coffee for their fundraiser. My gift for the day.

Day 3

When I left the house this morning, I had no idea what kind of gift that I was going to give today. I was pretty sure that something would present itself though. While I was at the office, one of the brokers came in and he and I were visiting about one of his products. I had just ordered a jar of raspberry melba sauce to take to a different customer and knew that this product would taste wonderful on the pork tenderloins that we were discussing. When they broougt me the jar of sauce, I gave it to this broker knowing that he would enjoy the product. I was right, an opportunity did present itself.

Day 2

Today it was hard to figure out what to do, as I was home most of the day by myself. My internet wasn't working, so I called my cousin in the early afternoon to see if hers was working. She said that it was, and suggested that I unplug everything and let it rest for a few moments, then plug it back in to see if it worked. Of course, why didn't I think of that?!? And, it worked. I spent the rest of the day working, then went for a walk this evening. On my way home, I stopped by to see my cousin for a few moments, since she told me that she hadn't been feeling well for the last few days. I gave her a dark chocolate candy bar that I had been carrying for myself. She said that dark chocolate was her favorite. Yay!!

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Day 1

I'm not sure how this is going to work out, but right now I'm inspired and I'm going to give it a try. The gifts do not have to be of monetary value, I can give of myself.

Today there was a man standing in the parking lot at Wal Mart when I was there with a sign saying that he was broke and hungry. My gift to him was $10.

It made me feel good to know that he could at least get a decent meal with that money.

29 Gifts in 29 Days

I am currently reading the book 29 Gifts in 29 Days. I've only just begun the book, but I am inspired. I must give 29 Gifts in 29 days and journal about each one. If for any reason I can not or do not give a gift and journal, then I must start over again.