Day 13 of 366 Day Project – “Magic is everywhere, explore & be amazed everyday!”
GIFT OF GIVING: The magic happened for me today when I took the afternoon off…yes I dropped everything and spent some quality time with June, my wonderful mother-in-law.
When I first met June, some fifteen years ago, I was continually in awe of her artistic ability, especially with needlework and egg decorating. These are not you’re your ordinary painted eggs but those of an emu. Each egg was cut creatively and decorated using tiny figurines and some were made into family photo frames. June’s skill was so precise and each egg was so perfect anyone seeing them for the first time would say, “Oh wow, they’re amazing.”
As sure as time slips by, so has June’s ability to focus on keeping up with her hobby. It wasn’t until I got chatting to Ray, June’s husband that I discovered that the retirement village was having a coloring in art session, which would be a wonderful opportunity for June to get back into some art activities. So last week I bought a coloring in book and pencils and today June and I spent the afternoon with a bunch of wonderful ladies coloring in.
I had such a great afternoon; I can’t wait to for next months. Sitting with these beautiful ladies, listening to them giggle, tell stories and enjoying each other’s company was so precious. When I asked them if they’d like to be a part of my 366-Day Project I was delighted when they all said yes. They sure do know how to make someone feel very welcome and were constantly telling jokes and laughing; I had a smile from ear to ear…precious to be in the room with the ladies.
When I asked them what was exciting and magical about the coloring in today they said, “lots of stories, laughter, fun, catching up on the village gossip, keeping an active brain, hand and eye coordination, socialising and one even said sleepy. Colouring in must be therapy after all.”
The ladies were curious about my 366-Day Project and one lady in her 90’s asked me how old I was. When I told her she said, “Wow that is fantastic you are keeping your brain active at such a young age. Looking for the magic in everything and exploring and being amazed every day. I think you’ll out do me!” I also told them about my previous day’s photo, the PIGEON PAIR MOBILITY SCHOOTERS and they all laughed in hysterically…it was one of those memorable moments, you just had to be in the room to appreciate it.
So next time you have a some spare time, have a think of ways you can make someone smile by giving them a little of you ‘the gift’, there are so may benefits…here are just a few.
GIFT OF GIVING:
- Giving makes us feel happy.
- Giving evokes gratitude. Gratitude is integral to happiness, health, and social bonds.
- Giving is contagious. When we give, we don’t only help the immediate recipient of our gift. We also spur a ripple effect of generosity through our community.
- Giving promotes cooperation and social connection. When you give, you’re more likely to get back.
- Giving is good for our health. A wide range of research has linked different forms of generosity to better health, even among the sick and elderly.
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