Round 1(2) Day 1 Starting Over

Dear friends on this journey

After day 20 of my first round a couple of days passed when I just did not manage to get the mindful giving done. That's been a learning experience. At first I wanted to pick up and finish my original Round 1, but meanwhile Cami's book arrived (a GREAT read) and I'll follow Mbali's advice to start over, and release the energy of the previous round.

So, Day 1 again. To make it easier for myself, this time, I've filled a big glass jar with little folded yellow papers, each with a suggestion for a gift, mostly easy ones that will be possible even on difficult days. They are there for those days when I can't manage to see the giving opportunities that are probably right in front of me.

It'll be fun wondering which one will pop up - since I know everything that's in there. This is jar is a gift to myself, though I'll still make a gift to someone else today, too. Will also do the First Day meditation Mbali suggests.

The other thing I'll do to make it easier for me, is to record my gifts in a paper journal, then write here maybe once a week. Blogging (and mostly reading your blogs) has been an important part of reflection and inspiration, but too much of my time is spent online right now. Maybe with some time freed up I'll have more for giving?

Lessons learnt so far

1. I'm more self-centred than I realised. Even though I spend lots of time (my work and mothering) in service of others, it's often with my awareness centred on me. Ach it's mostly from insecurity, I suppose, but I'm looking forward to becoming more aware of others through the process of this challenge.

2. Need to let go a little! I can be obsessive about what's a 'good enough' gift. Cami's book has helped me to see I need to trust the process a bit more than that.

3. This challenge is a wonderful journey with blessings and lessons about humanity around every corner. I'm very excited to be starting over.