The core meaning of  the word “give” is to present or deliver something of yours to someone else to keep.

The USA Thanksgiving Day is coming up, reminding people to give thanks, and a Philanthropist who I follow on Twitter, posted a tweet asking, why give?

The responses that followed this tweet were amazing and heartfelt. With all the tragedy you hear on the news, with all the sickness and death that affects many families, and the heavy financial struggles that burden people, hearing these kind and selfless responses was uplifting.

It reminded me of a day in our community each year, since 2008, which has been dedicated as ‘Random Act of Kindness Day’. It’s a vision of the KWCF, to help build a better community and to join hearts and hands to celebrate the community we live in.

Since its starting, it has become a huge success and has spread to other communities.

How it works is, in the weeks leading to the Random Act of Kindness Day, citizens are encouraged to give out Random Act of Kindness cards. The card says, “You have been touched by a Random Act of Kindness.” On that day, after doing an act of kindness, you give the person your card and they in turn perform an act of kindness and further pass along the card. Of course, you don’t need a card, and in case you are stumped as to what acts of kindness you can do, the website lists 101 Random Acts of Kindness for you to choose from – http://www.kwcf.ca/buildingle/randomacto

What most people derived from their kind deed was how good it made them feel by doing something for someone selflessly, without expectations, and without payment. Can you image the impact it would have on the world if each person did even one Random Act of Kindness every day.

Here are but a few of the many answers that flooded in for reasons of, ‘why give’:

“The greatest gift you can give someone is your time.”

“Giving is a natural human instinct.”

“I give because I want to do my part.”

“I give because God gave to me.”

“I give because so many have less than I have.”

“Because the world needs more love and generosity.”

“I give for no other reason than to help my fellow man.”

“To improve and enhance the lives of others.”

“Because it’s the right thing to do.”

“I give because the universe gives in abundance to me.”

“To make the world a better place.”

“I give because I’m passionate about seeing people thrive.”

“It’s about nourishing your soul by helping others.”

I think Winston Churchill said it right, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”

 

My blog was inspired by Michael Chatman, a Philanthropist and a man I admire - http://www.michaelchatman.com/

Regards!
Alandra CL

I love to hear from you, so email me at acl@alandracl.com

Official Blog of Alandra CL

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Perfectionism is something to strive for, but when does perfectionism become an obsession – a fear of your work never being good enough, always thinking you can do better.

During the process of a final edit on one of the first articles that I was having published, I had to ask myself, when would ‘enough be enough’.

At the time, I found the question difficult to answer. Now, I know it is different for everyone and different for each piece of work.

Back then, I realized that a more appropriate question to ask myself was, am I stalling because of my fear of failure, or is my work truly unfinished, needing more editing?

Saying, I’m finished, meant there was no more reason to hold back, nothing from stopping me to submit my work and perhaps face a rejection. At some point, I needed to take the next step, but I never thought that that step would be so difficult.

I remember the day that I finally said, “This is it! Today, I’m going to submit it.” I literally had to force myself to go through each step. And once I had it submitted, I fretted the entire time, waiting to hear back from the magazine editor if it was good enough.

Everything turned out fine. He loved the article, and two months later, I saw my article in print on the shelves.

With each publication, the feeling became more clear as to when I was satisfied enough with my work to submit it. I still question every piece I write as to whether it is good enough.

Just recently, I finished my first novel for publication. The experience was more intimidating, but I know that there comes a point where I need to move on and be satisfied with my work – I need to take that step of courage.

Regards!
Alandra CL

I love to hear from you, so email me at acl@alandracl.com

Official Blog of Alandra CL

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Sometimes we do things unintentionally in our everyday life that gains a few laughs, unfortunately at someone’s expense. I had just such a moment and unfortunately, it was at my expense. Since my kids all got a good chuckle out of it, I thought you might to.

In order for you to understand what happened, I need to give you some background information.

Our cars have automatic locking devices on the door handles, that by simply tapping the handle, the cars lock and unlock automatically. One day, after taking one of the cars to the dealership to have maintenance done, they supplied me with a loaner for the several hours it would take to finish the service. Being extremely busy and rushed that day, I had to scramble to get my tasks and appointments completed in the interim.

I sped off to my first to-do-item on my list. As I was coming out of the store, I realized I was already late for my next appointment. I hurried up to the loaner and began tapping the door handle to open the vehicle.

Nothing happened.

Being late, frustration set in. The damn thing wasn’t unlocking! I continued to tap it, not understanding why it didn’t open. I knew I had the fob in my purse for activation, so I walked around the vehicle, tapping the other door handles to see if they worked. Minutes passed and I couldn’t get the car to open. My next appointment was an important one so I didn’t want to be any later.

A man, who had parked beside me and had been observing me for awhile, came up to me and asked in a peculiar way what I was doing. I must admit, me walking around the car continuously tapping my finger on the various handles must have looked unusual to say the least.

“I’m trying to open my vehicle but it won’t unlock,” I told him.

I had hoped to get some help or advice from him, but instead, he stared at me as if I was totally inept. “Don’t you think you should use the key?” he said pointing to the key lock below the handle, shaking his head.

It was then I realized that the loaner vehicle didn’t have the automatic touch locks on the handle. Being in a rush, I had forgotten.

I started to laugh so hard when I realized what I had been doing.

The man walked away, I’m sure thinking that I was a crazy woman or a very dumb blonde, before I had the chance to explain to him my error.

It was only after he left that embarrassment set in, thinking what I must have looked like to him and others passing by, continuously walking around the car tapping my finger on the handles.

To this day, my kids call it one of my better blonde moments, one that they will never let me forget.

Regards!
Alandra CL

I love to hear from you, so email me at acl@alandracl.com

Official Blog of Alandra CL

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Sadly, our father just passed away, a great loss to our family.  We will mourn the death of a wonderful and dear man who has made all his children better people.

 

Here is a poem that I wrote to our loving father.

Your battle is finally over, no more pain, no more fears.
Death has opened its door, taking away your suffering and your tears.

But we were not ready to say goodbye, to the father we so loved and knew.
You meant so much to us, your deeds so kind, so selfless, and none too few.

You were always willing, no matter what the problem or the task.
To give us a wise word, a strong shoulder or helping hand, we had but to ask.

Regards!
Alandra CL

I love to hear from you, so email me at acl@alandracl.com

Official Blog of Alandra CL

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