29 Gifts

In November of 2009 as I was raising funds for my trip to Uganda a friend of mine told me about a book she was reading “29 Gifts” by Cami Walker. Cami was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a couple of years ago.

Cami had probably had MS for more than a decade but it wasn’t until shortly after her honeymoon she was diagnosed. As she struggled with the symptoms and implications of MS her attitude, physical well-being and spirit diminished. A former neighbor and spiritual advisor, Mbali (pronounced Em-bali) suggested she was essentially having a severe pity party for herself, taking all of that negative energy and exacerbating her MS. Mbali recommended a prescription of sorts: to give 29 Gifts conscioully and purposefully everyday for 29 days.

The gifts did not have to be expensive, did not have to be tangible, they just have to be given purposefully. Some of the gifts Cami gave:
- 30 Minutes Free to a client she was consulting
- Letting her husband choose the movie they were going to see
- Cooking Dinner and Doing the Dishes (her MS had really limited her abilities to help around the house but as she refocused her energy to helping others and being grateful for what she did have her MS symptoms started to dissipate)
- Mbali also gave her two specific assignments: To buy a meal for a homeless person and give them 7 dollars. And to part with something she didn’t think she could live with out.

As I read this book I went through all sorts of emotions:

Loved the concept, but wasn’t sure how I felt about self promoting my good deeds.

I also think that I’m a pretty giving person naturally…the other night I was at Applebee’s with my Crazy Sexy Cool girlfriends, they were picking out necklaces from Uganda. A server said “ooh I love those, are you selling them? Could I buy one?” I insisted she have one….yesterday at the dog park a girl was walking 3 dogs, one had gotten off it’s leash and she looked like she was struggling with holding the two on leash while trying to grab the other one. I offered to hold the leashes of the two, while she tracked down the other.

However, there are days where my lack of grace and forgiveness is apparent…put me in the driver seat of a car with a bad driver in front of me and a sailor would be ashamed at the verbal assault that can come out of my mouth…

Put me in an airport security line with people who clearly don’t travel as much as I do…grace goes right out the window.


When it comes down to it, I love the concept of taking 29 days in a row and consciously and purposefully giving whether it’s to friends or strangers. I’m inviting you to join me for the next 29 Days to give and see how the positive energy of giving can change your outlook on life.

I’m starting tomorrow, April 1st. I won’t blog everyday, but I will blog about the pivotal or poignant days.

You can check out the 29 Gifts website here to see if this is something you would like to participate in.

I also have a copy of the book. I’d be happy to send it to the first person who would like it…however, I just ask a two things: Please read it and Pass it along in a timely manner.


Cheers,

April