Tag: give

40 Days of Joy

My 3 Words + 1

Michele Kearns

I read Chris Brogan’s blog and once he mentioned the 3 word challenge, I started thinking about my three words.  I could only think of one:

 Streamline

  •  Job Search – I already started on the streamlining the job search about 3 or 4 weeks ago.  My philosophy was a “leave no stone unturned” approach.  Heck, even the outplacement company I worked with had people getting quality jobs through newspaper ads.  While I came close to getting jobs with that approach, I have decided to abandon it.  So bye-bye:
    • Monster,
    • Careerbuilder,
    • Careerboard,
    • Simply Hired,
    • Indeed

I will stick with LinkedIn, LinkUp and Networking.

  • Email Streamlining – The email’s I receive from different sites has also been cleaned up. 
  • House Streamlining – Little by little this house is being streamlined.  It must be done as Joe was and I am a pack rat.
  • Spiritual Streamlining – Reading daily devotions, grief books, and leadership books.   
  • Physical Streamlining  – Exercising more and exploring different types of exercises.

That’s 2012 in one word.

Now for 2012 Chris Brogan Style (3 Words)

Joy. Pray. Give.

Joy

Be more joyful, smile more, do not let circumstances dictate my mood, and find more people, places, events and things enjoy.  Let my joy be evident when people see me, let joy show through this blog, let joy show in my new job. Use Black and Blue beads to help me see joy. 

Pray

Pray about everything and not just in the morning or at bedtime.  Send up prayers throughout the day, that means prayers of help and thanksgiving. Use a journal to keep track of my prayers. 

Give

Give of myself and finances. Now this does not mean I have an endless supply of money to dish out to people.  The finances are for regular tithing, even though I do not have a lot what I have to give is mighty and powerful.

My time refers to my volunteer work which also was streamlined year so the focus can be finding a job.

Not How But Where

How did I decide on these three words?  The question should be where did I find these 3 words?  The answer is:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Be, Pray, and Give require doing.  Doing these will help me live out the philosophy of this blog:

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

“…Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 23:39

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Quote:

“Joy is perfect acquiescence in God’s will because the soul delights in God Himself.”

H.W. Webb-Peploe

The End

This post marks the end of “40 Days of Joy” (which was extended one day because I ran the same video on 12/24 and 12/25).  Hopefully this series brought you some joy this past holiday season.  I know everyone’s circumstances are different but hopefully this series brought some joy to you. 

Thank you for following my blog and may you have a joy filled 2012.

(Not sure why there is a font issue again today.)

40 Days of Joy

Give To Get

Michele Kearns

Scripture:

One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:24-25

“Give to get” is a way of life now-a-days. 

  • Give a reason to people why they should help you.
  • Give a recommendation on LinkedIn in order to get one.
  • Give a potential employer a reason to hire you by telling them how you will save/make money.

You give, then you will get.  Well…

Bah! Humbug!

Bah, humbug, on this idea of giving just to get something in return.

Follow a kinder path –

give just to give. 

Ideas

  • Send Christmas cards and do not keep track of who sends you one.   
  • Donate clothing to a charity without asking for a tax-deductible receipt.
  • Give your time to someone whether it is listening to their story, helping them with chores, or helping them address the envelopes for their Christmas cards.

My Favorite Idea

Be an Anonymous Secret Santa. 

  • Send someone a Christmas card but do not sign it.
  • Send a small gift every day the week of Christmas.
  • Put a gift on their door-step in the middle of the night.

All they will know is someone cares, which will bring them joy at a time when they just might need it the most.   

This idea will help you whether you know someone who is grieving and/or unemployed or you are grieving and trying to figure out how to get through the holidays.  What better way to enjoy the holidays then to give to others without expectation of receiving anything.

Remember

You reap what you sow including all the joy you give to others.  It will one day come back to you, it might take 20 years but it will come back to you many times over.

My Wish

May giving to give nourish your soul and mind and bring you a bounty of joy during this Christmas season and beyond.

Who?

Who are you going to play Secret Santa to?

Quote:

Let Christmas not become a thing

Merely of merchant’s trafficking,

Of tinsel, bell and holly wreath

And surface pleasure, but beneath

The childish glamour, let us find

Nourishment for soul and mind.

Let us follow kinder ways

Through our teeming human maze,

And help the age of peace to come

From a Dreamer’s martyrdom.

~Madeline Morse