Day 12 and my life is changing

I learned about the 29Gifts from a friend of mine 2 weeks ago. She is the President of the local Public Library Board and was telling me about this year's library Public Read Program. Each year they pick a book to read and encourage the whole community to read the same book. Then, they have several discussions where people can talk about the book using specific discussion questions. This year they picked two books--- "Pay it Forward" and "29 Gifts". I read the 29 Gifts book right away and couldn't put it down. It had come into my life at just the right time when I needed to get out of myself and start doing for others. The first few days I worked at it really hard-- thinking of what gift to give, what constituted a gift, which gifts would "count", and thinking about how I felt afterwards. It was a struggle because I had really gotten into my own issues and was in a real "funk"--or what some would call a pity party. I was so blessed in life, and yet I wasn't appreciating any of it. As time went on, I found myself getting up in the morning thinking "what gift can I give today? How can I help someone else?". What I found, to my amazement, was that the opportunity to give an open hearted gift often found its way into my life without having to look for it. I became more conscious of those around me and opportunities to make a difference. The other day a friend who lives about 1 hour or so from me was really down about work so I took photos of the flowers in my garden, and sent them by email saying "thinking of you today". She wrote me back that when she opened the email, she actually smiled and was transported away from a stressful situation for a few moments. Today I invited a person I barely know to join my Kiwannis group because I know their business is struggling and I want to help her network anyway I can. She was happy because you have to be invited to join Kiwannis and she was afraid to ask anyone. I really want to see them do well and it is the only way I can help--I know that fellow Kiwannians will do their best to help when they meet her. I guess that counts as a gift? I don't know. What I do know is that this journey is so eye opening and brings me so much peace. Thankyou gratefully. Rebecca Cohen, ILL.