29Gifts

I stumbled upon something inspiring today. For the longest time, I wanted to start a blog on service or kindness, and while reading my favorite blogs, I found out about 29Gifts, a website that encourages readers to take on the 29Gifts Challenge. It entails mindfully giving away something (e.g. money, food, compliments, etc.) for 29 days straight in order to become more aware of the gifts we all receive and to jumpstart creativity and gratitude in our lives.

It seems like such a simple concept, but I think that it's absolutely brilliant. Too often, especially in a time when everything is instantaneous (and as a result, mostly taken for granted), we just go through the motions, even in our generosity and in our altruism. Being mindful is just as important as a benevolent action itself, because it allows you to be more aware of the good that is being done.

I think I'm going to try doing the 29Gifts challenge, starting tomorrow. Right now, it seems like a breeze, but I'm sure being mindful of the process will prove much mroe difficult (but also much more fulfilling) than I expect.