Giving of Our Abundance

This is highly personal, and a little hard to talk about and admit.  But I wanted to share something I learned recently because it was so enlightening to me.  Life changing maybe.  For all of you that already know this, be patient with me, I'm a slow learner.  


This past year has been the hardest financial year of our 23 years of married life.  Unemployment, multiple and devastatingly expensive repairs and replacements, combined with  current economic realities, and the stage of life we're in....  you know, seven children, 5 of whom are teens or older and all that entails with expenses of car insurance, food, activities, lessons, food, shoes, gas money...... did I mention food?  They eat muchly.  We've had to be humbled to accept more financial assistance and help from friends and church than we ever wanted to.   We've been so incredibly grateful for all of that help, each and every day.  But accepting help is hard.  I don't want to be "that family" that always needs something. 


*I* want to be the one who can help others.  I want to have financial abundance so I can be the one to bless others' lives.  I want to be the one that can help someone in need.  It's frustrated me to tears at times, that I find things so reversed from how I would like them to be.  I have certainly developed a great compassion for anyone who is struggling financially and how scary that is.   Many things about my life in recent years have taught me the importance of truly being non-judgmental.  No one knows what it's like to walk in another person's shoes.  


Anyways, I was just feeling so rotten the other day because I'm tired of taking, when I'd rather be giving.  I don't have any financial means to give (though I intend to change that soon).  I can't buy anyone anything.  I can't contribute to any humanitarian causes.  I can't donate any food.   I can't buy fabric to make quilts or blankets to donate.  All I could think of was all these things I couldn't do and I felt very helpless.  


Now, I can't even remember where this inspiration came from.  I know I either heard or read something brief, and the light bulb clicked on.   Abundance comes in many forms, only one of which is monetary.   You can have an abundance of cheer, hope, smiles, hugs, wisdom, grace, love, concern, as well as talents or skills that can be put to use on behalf of others.   I hadn't thought of those things in terms of abundance before.  I should have because that's what the Savior taught.  That giving of those things is also giving of my abundance and helping others.  At first I felt a huge relief as the truth of this sank in and gave me new perspective.  


Then it hit me.  The only problem with this is that you have to  1.  acknowledge your gifts and talents and 2. cultivate characteristics that are positive and of good worth to bless others.   You know how sometimes you take quizzes or read books where they ask you to list all your good traits, or talents?  Well, I HATE those.  My answer to "list your top 10 best skills (talents, traits)" is always...   "UUUHHHHHH...."  Seriously.  I don't see anything noteworthy.  (Or I can think of someone that can do it better).  But ask me to list my top 10 worst traits...  watch out and get me a LONG piece of paper.  Cause I can go way past 10! If I really want to give,  really want to make a difference,  I will need to acknowledge something I have that's worth sharing.  


Secondly, it makes you take an inventory of what your characteristics are.  My lifelong shyness and self-consciousness has often left me feeling socially awkward, missing chances to  say the right things at the right time, and looking unfriendly or snobby. You know those people that you just love to be around?  The ones that brighten a room and make people feel better for having been in their presence?  Well, that's not me I'm sorry to say (and some of you already know that).  But it could be.  If I decided to cultivate those traits.   And if I really want to give of my abundance, I will have to make a serious effort to do that.  


It's given me a good bit of soul searching, that's for sure.  The easiest thing for me to see is the areas I need to become better.  Seeing the gifts I already have is harder.  But maybe it won't seem self serving or selfish if I do it so I can give them away.   So my personal challenge  for this week is to get outside of myself and see the people who are in need in some way, and then decide what I have to offer that will lighten their burden.  

Gifts Galore

Christmas is my favorite holiday, is it one of yours too? I love the music, the tree, the baking, and  I love giving!  I love making other people happy with something I can give them.  Sometimes though, all that giving can either stretch the budget beyond repair, or become a little too focused on "stuff".  For both reasons, I've gotten into the habit of making at least some of my gifts.  It's more personal, they're usually unique, and people appreciate that YOU went into the gift and not just some cash.  


I want my kids to appreciate heart felt gifts, and not only the price tag.  I want them to know that they can give wonderful gifts without emptying the bank.


Are you done with your shopping already?  If you are I'm SO jealous.  I try every year to get done before December 1st, and I made a better effort this year.  Not.  Quite.  Done. (shoot).   I'm going to give a short list of ideas for gifts, and include plenty of websites so you can explore and find some great giving options.


1. grandparents love photos....   in frames, scrapbooked, mini albums to carry


2. homemade gifts baskets... ie, if you have a movie lover you can give some DVDs or gift certificate to a local theater along with some homemade treats to enjoy while watching, and some microwave popcorn


3. coupon books for free chores, dates, lessons for something you're good at and they want to learn, special services like back rubs, etc.


4.  little kids love dress up...   buy a box and fill it with dress up clothes and accessories (jewelry, hats, scarves) from Goodwill.  It's a hit every time.


5.  burn a CD mix of someone's favorite type of music




Gifts from the Kitchen

Everyone loves a gift that warms their belly!  These are some great ideas to start with.

Do it Yourself Christmas

An assortment of reader contributed gift ideas, some of which are pretty unique.  If you have a tween, the Secret Hollow book is awesome!


Family Fun's crafty ideas

A lot of good ideas, especially for smaller gifts that could be used for exchanges or stockings.

Homemade Gift Ideas for the Family

This site would be good for kids making gifts for other people.  A lot of very fun and simple things to try.


Martha Stewart's Gift Ideas

Ok, it's Martha...  love her or hate her, she's got some brilliant ideas.  Some of these are a little more pricey or may require a bit more skill than I can get my hands on, but it's well worth a look.


Great Ideas for All Ages

This site lists ideas by age.  Have a 1-3 year old?  She's got a whole list of inexpensive but well targeted things to give.  It's where I decided what to give Chloe this year.  She's also got ideas for Mom and Dad, so kids can get involved making things too.  

Hopefully this has you thinking of some awesome gifts to make and give this year.  If you have a favorite idea, let me know!  We start "birthday season" in our house right after Christmas, so I'm always up for a great gift giving idea!