Reflections: An Anonymous Gift…
“Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection.” Pindar
Reflections: An Anonymous Gift... Gift House
At different points in our lives, we have been the recipients of sudden, surprise or anonymous gifts. When it happens, it brings all sorts of emotions to the fore. Sometimes joy or delight, and at other times, curiosity and perhaps frustration from not knowing. I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from an anonymous admirer once and, till this day, I’ve never found out who sent them… However, the memory and the goodwill lingers. Plinky asks: What gift would you like to anonymously send someone? The first thing that came to mind is a home for all the homeless people. It would be wonderful to provide shelter anonymously for all who need it; it could be a group residence or a Habitat for Humanity home for homeless families… that would give me great joy.
“One must know not just how to accept a gift, but with what grace to share it.” Maya Angelou
Reflections: An Anonymous Gift... The gift table...
Another anonymous gift I’d love to give is free healthcare to the poorest, youngest and oldest in our world. It would be a great thing to gracefully hand little gift containers with free health cards enclosed to our folks who need it the most. I often read about the poorest Americans who have neither enough food, nor adequate health care, nor shelter, heat in the winter, or clothes on their backs and an anonymous gift that includes all that they need would be a blessing. Flowers are a wonderful gift, and we can give those to put a smile on a face and warmth in a heart, yet the basic needs are critical gifts that will be truly appreciated…
“Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God‘s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one’s self, and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another.” Thomas Hughes
Reflections: An Anonymous Gift... Gift Basket
Gift baskets are always fun to make and I have seen people light up in the hospital when they receive one… That would be another precious way to honor others; offering a cornucopia of gift baskets to people in shelters and/or patients in hospitals; in cancer wards, in pediatric wards, maternity wards, geriatric centers and to many others in various stages of illness. Of course, as I write this, I realize that it is not so difficult to do as each of us can offer this service to our local hospitals or shelters, and request that they recommend a ward or patients who have no family or visitors. Midnight Run offers the homeless food, toiletries, clothing, and more during the cold season and anyone can volunteer to go on a run. More below. 😉
“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” Buddha
Reflections: An Anonymous Gift... Surprise wrapped gift
From time to time, it would be a great idea to pick a day of the week and make it your Anonymous Gift Day. On this day, we can randomly pick someone and leave them or send them a surprise gift. We could also use that day to perform a random act of kindness; a day to show gratitude for our lives by honoring the life of another… For me, the gift of gratitude shared as a token of friendship; a flower, money, healthy food, books, or anything that helps another would suffice. What about you? What are your thoughts? What anonymous gift would you share? Have you ever been the recipient of an anonymous gift? Do share! Thank you. 🙂
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Plinky: What gift would you like to anonymously send someone?
Positive Motivation Tip: Whether we give or receive anonymously, a grateful heart makes all the difference.
Related articles
- An Anonymous Gift (parwatisingari.wordpress.com)
- An Anonymous Gift (misswhiplash.wordpress.com)
- What’s the gift? (wordsbythewater.wordpress.com)
- Reflections: Ten Things To Be Grateful For Today… (eof737.wordpress.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Gift Table, Yellow Gift, Gift House, Gift Basket, Wikipedia.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
good physical and mental health
Absolument! Health is always paramount on our minds and if we can offer another that gift… fantastic. TY! 🙂
It’s so pretty and a great idea. I think it should be like a Pay It Forward, Gift.
Loved this !!
Yes, a Pay it Forward is always helpful. TY Jackie! 🙂
I would like the one in the first photo because I would never look a gift house in the mouth 🙂
Very funny! I bet most people would love to have a roof over their heads first too… TY! 🙂
your gift to us: your ideas, comments, your empathy -TY!
The sentiments are mutual Frizz… I believe the same of all the bloggers I follow. TY! 🙂
The best gifts are the ones you give. Nothing brings more joy that making someone else happy!
I agree and I remember reading somewhere that the big secret of giving is that the giver enjoys it more and is psychically rewarded for their efforts. 🙂
I really like the idea of anonymous gift day! How wonderful. Very timely post. If I could give a gift to anyone, I think I would give the gift of meaningful employment to all the unemployed right now.
Girl … now I need to add that one to the post. Yes, Yes, and Yes! It is a critical issue and one that would be a great gift to all of us in need of employment. TY! 🙂
Yes it is a great idea. I love it
TY! and it won’t have to be a gift of cash… It could be of service. 🙂
Every day, your posts and your comments are gifts to all of us! I too, love the idea of a day of the week to give a gift. Your generous and loving nature comes through here with all your gifting ideas. The Midnight Run would be a really uplifting mission. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Midnight Run is a phenomenal program and I remember going on a run… It was heart wrenching yet it was good to know that the homeless were getting assistance when they needed it most; in the dead of winter. TY! 🙂
I love random acts of kindness and try to do it whenever possible. I think we sometimes worry too much about what a gift costs instead of thinking about how we can give a gift of service. I keep trying to do more of that.
Great post!
thanks,
b
I hear you Barb and honestly, given the economy, we have to work with our budgets and if there is no allowance for cash outlays, then time is always appreciated… TY! 🙂
While it wasn’t anonymous, I did get a surprise memorial scholarship the same day in my first year of law school that I’d realized I just didn’t have the funds to make it work.
Scholarship recipients were required to write a thank-you note before the funds would be disbursed. I not only wrote one then, but another one about a year ago. I wanted to let the young woman’s father know that, though I’d never met her, I am thankful for her every day.
What a beautiful story… Scholarships are another great way, for those who can afford to create one, to help people. TY! 🙂
You inspire me all the time, thank you for that xoxo
TY Donna! You do same for me too. Appreciate the comment! 🙂
If I could I would give everyone the gift of comfort in knowing that someone in the world cares for them. The more I focus on the world and less on myself the more I see people who are alone with seemingly no one who cares for them.
Yes, thank you, you are right! When we step away from our own lives, from our personal drama, and put the energy elsewhere we find that our stuff is really nothing. TY! 🙂
lovely post my friend,. Hugs!
TY Kath for your feedback. 🙂
I got a surprise gift in the mail today . . . from a blogging buddy!
A bag of Zebra Marshmallows . . . and one of her gorgeous photographs of coneflowers and butterflies.
Such a delight in a small package!
Yes, I read about it on your blog…Yummy! Do share… those zebra goodies sound delicious. TY! 🙂
In my former school, everyone had a secret buddy who would leave a gift for you in your cubby. It could be a muffin, post-it-notes, cookies, a flower, etc. I think it made our day. I love giving gifts anonymously especially plants–but I think everyone knows it’s me now!!
Oh now that is a brilliant idea! I love it. My kids used to do secret Santa with their friends during the holidays and I loved that idea too… TY! 🙂
Hmm, I don’t think I’ve ever received an anonymous gift. How sweet though, eh?
Oh then we have to arrange something good for you…TY! 😉
What wonderful ideas! 🙂
TY Sharon! It was a fun exercise… 🙂
Healthcare is something so fundamental and something I have never understood is not considered a public good in the USA. Yet those who try get accused of socialism. We have public health care here and yet we are one of the strongest western economies with less that a 10th of the USA population (so less taxes to find such care). We couldn’t be further from a socialist society if we tried!
Some things just should be. Health care as a public good is one of those things, in my view.
I agree with you and it saddens me that it is such a point of contention in the USA. Often, those who oppose it are those who have it and would never know the experience of being without medical care. It is such an act of wanton selfishness that It leaves me speechless when I hear opposing politicians speak about it as if the USA is being invaded by an alien colony…
One guy spoke about his diagnosis of cancer a few years ago and how he was able to get the necessary care in collaboration with his doctors, and then of the individualized attention he received… Great! So why are you denying others the same quality of care or even the minimum quality of care? It was truly pathetic because what he didn’t realize was that he was describing what a percentage of Americans who have complete and excellent coverage get, not what your average poor Joe or under-insured or uninsured Jane get. My head almost exploded at his total ignorance of the dichotomy between the haves and the haves not… don’t get me going. It is sickening.
TY for your feedback! 🙂
An impressive post, I just gave this to a colleague who is doing a little analysis on this topic. And he is very happy and thanking me for finding it. But all thanks to you for writing on such simple words. Big thumb up for this blog post!
Thank you for stopping by to comment. I like the fact that you donate 10% of your sales to your local community… Great job! TY! 🙂