The Gift of Giving

Ok, this was me:


A few weeks ago, I decided that the heat of the summer and my long thick hair didn't make for the best relationship. Besides, for a while, my heart had been set on donating to Locks of Love. So, I took the plunge. Keep in mind, my hair had never been shorter than BARELY above shoulder length, so this was very exciting not only because I was giving to someone with a greater need but because I was exploring uncharted territory for me! It was a bit scary too, might I add.. not having a clue what'd I'd look like with really short hair.

The minimum donation for Locks of Love is 10 in. We braided my hair, and cut it off quickly so that there was no turning back! If this has ever been something you've thought of doing, let me encourage you to JUST DO IT! Giving is a gift itself; an opportunity to make a difference in the life of another. It's so emotionally rewarding... if you aren't giving, you're missing our on some genuine happiness!



Since then, Jeff & Sheri were booked on the Opry which is always extremely fun and cool! When I found out that Aaron Tippin was also performing that night, the 10 year old inside of me was jumping with excitement. I was 10 in the year 2000, which was the year for Aaron Tippin's single, Kiss This. This was my favorite! As we were watching his performance, he sang a tune which I was unfamiliar with while putting together a bicycle. I didn't understand at all, but once he finished and explained that in every show he performs he does this, then donates the bike to Toys for Tots. My respect from him went from being that of a 10 year old enjoying a catchy melody to that of a 20 year old seeing someone with a giving heart.


Also, Madison and I have recently begun sponsoring through Compassion International. Our little girl is 10 years old, her name is Winifred Apeley Nubi, and she's from Ghana. She enjoys singing, playing with dolls, and jump roping. She lives with her aunt and helps around the house. It's strange the way we found her, the way she spoke to us. When we first began talking about sponsoring, Madison told us that he wanted the child that no one else would pick, one that's been overlooked in the sea of faces, one with a great need for us. I began going through our stack and choosing faces that spoke to me, and ended up with a stack an inch thick! At that point, I went back through and began reading information on each child. When I got to Winifred, I began to weep as I read her packet. She reminded me so much of myself at her age but the biggest thing that stood out to me was that she lived with her aunt. My aunt took care of me while my dad worked and was one of the largest female roles in my childhood life. For everything Madison and I were looking for in a child, she fit. I can't tell you how much the opportunity to help her has been a blessing in my life. I only hope we can be as big of an impact in hers.

It doesn't take anything drastic to be a giver. Everyday presents us all with countless opportunities to commit acts of kindness, large or small. You will always find what you're looking for, for example, you will find a way for a horoscope to pertain to your life if you believe in horoscopes. So believe in giving, and seek the opportunities to do so! Open the door for someone, smile at them, provide your time, attention, labor, or whatever you can offer in a given situation. And even beyond that? Find things around your house that are no use to you, like old clothes that you never wear, and provide them to someone with a greater need! If you take a minute to explore ways to make a difference, you'll find 'em! Just look!

...Everything boils down to perspective... which is a whole 'nother blog that I'll be writing soon. But for now, here are a few of my favorite ways to give back.

www.locksoflove.org

www.toysfortots.org

www.freerice.com

www.goodwill.org

www.samaratinspurse.org

www.compassion.com

www.rhmc.org

ww5.komen.org

Xoxo,