Gifts Three and Four - February 4, 2012

February 4, 2012
Gifts Three and Four

It is so interesting that my experience with the challenge so far has been very different than my “normal” life. My typical day is FULL of people and activity. At the Wellness Center, almost every minute is scheduled with classes, personal training, cleaning, or other tasks that have to get done that day. When not at work, my time is booked with yoga practice, my other students, personal projects, running errands, studying.

Other than a couple hours of work on Tuesday, I haven’t left the house all week, and the only person I’ve seen for four days has been my husband. I haven’t felt this fatigued in years, actually since the last time I had bronchitis seven or eight years ago. From absolute necessity, I have stopped doing. Again, ironically, what I have had plenty of this week is time! My only tasks each day are to rest, drink fluids, and give a gift!

Monty loves his inversion table, and thinks it is already helping his back. It is rather large for our small house, but I am just glad he’s finally feeling better. It did feel good to give him the money to purchase it.

Yesterday I was thinking a lot about my cousin, whose mother died about 18 months ago. Her mother lived with her and helped her take care of her daughter and autistic son, who has some very real challenges. If I have a hard time handling my daily life, how must she feel with working full time and raising two kids as a single mom?

I paid $12 for an online e-card membership at www.jacquielawson.com. I had never really been a fan of e-cards until last year when I received several of hers, which are almost like little stories. For $12 I can send as many cards as I want all year. I chose one for my cousin that had a relaxing underwater/beach theme. It felt good to reach out to her and send a note with “no strings attached,” so she doesn’t feel obligated to write back if she is too busy or tired.

It has been fun to find little ways to give. I think I am being more mindful about listening and looking at Monty when he talks, and trying to give him more little scratches and neck rubs on the spur of the moment. It will be fun to see how I can give more little gifts when I am back to my usual energy and interactions with more people. Will I remember the challenge when back in the business of the usual day?

Today I slept and read and rested all day and hadn’t given a gift yet when Monty came home. Monty suggested that my gift today should just be to relax and let him take care of me. At first I rejected this idea, but then remembered that the whole thing is supposed to be about giving and receiving. I can learn a lot about giving from Monty. It comes naturally to him. So I accepted, ate a delicious soup he made, and am going to bed early. I guess my gift is to accept graciously. I did fit in a neck massage after dinner, so that's a small gift. I am envisioning myself waking up energized and well!