A question or two for you.
Do you find it easier to give than receive?
If someone pays you a compliment, are you able to receive it graciously?
How readily do you seek or accept the help of another?
If there is advice being shared are you the giver or receiver?
I have long been a better giver than receiver. In fact I am still learning to receive graciously but am pleased to say I am getting better and some of this is due to my interactions within this lovely blogging world.
When I was little, I was taught the following rhyme, it’s a little cheesy but the sentiments are sound and we now use it as one of our ‘Grace’ cards before our evening meal.
The more you do unselfishly,
The more you live abundantly.
I have received much in my first six months of blogging.
Some gifts have been physical in the form of lovely giveaway prizes, most though have been less tangible but far more precious. The gift of friendship has been the most surprising and wonderful. Never did I imagine that I would meet so many like-minded people in such a short amount of time.
When I started this blog it was with the intention of creating a special space to celebrate the beautiful and unexpected finds that I uncovered in my everyday life and on the web.
The title was derived from my awe at the abundance of beautiful things, amazing people, gorgeous images and special moments that I uncovered as I meandered from one delightful blog space to another - regularly uncovering the ‘unexpected and lovely’.
I hope that you have enjoyed your visits to my space and felt as though you may have received a little something that you could take away - an idea to try, a new word to use, an image to inspire, a different perspective perhaps.
Every time I have opened up my space and seen that someone has left a message, or that a new friend has joined in, it has brought a huge smile to my face and brightened my day immensely. I thank each and every one of you for your generosity, kindness, insight and humour - you are my gifts [all 196 of you!!!] and I feel abundant in your company.
As I close today and for this year, I would like to share a gift that I received from my friend Jane at Planet Baby.
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Jane has passed on the ‘You Are Gifted’ award which 'recognises some of the special people in Blogland who entertain, enrich, inspire and lighten our lives a little with their words each day.'
If you haven’t met Jane yet then you really must visit after you’ve finished here. She has created a lovely space for you to visit which is brimful of warmth, intelligence and enthusiasm. If you have a penchant for lovely stationery, literature and linguistics or anything French, then I’m sure, like me, you will spending lots of time with Jane and her lovely young family on Planet Baby.
So now it is my turn to ‘Pass the Parcel’ to just a handful of Blogeristas who have directly impacted upon my life in the most positive ways.
To Naomi who nurtures Seven Cherubs - here is a woman from whom I have learnt so much these past six months. Naomi has taught me that parenting doesn’t have to be something that you muddle through [although it’s OK if you do] but can be developed as a treasured vocation. As I’ve grappled with the challenges of being a Stepmother, she has helped me to see that there are many different ways to be a mother and even though these aren’t my own children I am parenting them.
Naomi brings such warmth, wisdom and fun to raising her seven cherubs and she shares all of this with us so generously. She has been a great encourager of me personally and of my foundling blog and I feel truly blessed to have met her and call her friend.
To Maxabella Loves - Here is a woman who has a killer combination of intelligence, creativity, wit and a generous heart. I’ve learnt much from Ms Bella and have been buoyed on more than one occasion by her encouragement, techy skills and great humour.
Her posts and comments are always thoughtful and she turns a phrase in a truly unique way. If not for the tyranny of distance I’m sure we would enjoy a regular glass of wine together - as it is, I look forward to catching up with one of my favourite Blogeristas at her place or mine via the written word.
There aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything I want, including reading all of the blog posts that I subscribe to. Someone who seems to be able to make the most of every waking second and whose posts I always read from ‘cover to cover’ is Tina from Rubies Place. Tina not only sees potential for beauty in the most unexpected items but she has a special talent for transforming her visions into reality. She not only does this, she generously shares how she did it so that we may be inspired to ‘have a go’ too. Her thoughtfulness, warm character and enthusiasm are all qualities to be treasured and will ensure that she is a ‘stand out’ in her chosen vocation as a teacher.
A butterfly alighting on a flower just as you bend to inhale its perfume.
A blue wren darting from the undergrowth as you wander a garden path.
A friend discovered in the most unlikely of places.
All of these are gifts of serendipity and just like you my dear friend - unexpected and lovely
I wish you every happiness for a bright and loving Christmas and look forward to all that we will share together in the year to come.
* Apologies to the original 'Gifter', I've remodeled your gift a little, you see I've always wanted to open a small Tiffany blue box and this seemed like a good opportunity!
