Giving for the JOY of it

There are people who just love to give. I'd like to think of myself as one of those people. Giving is so much fun. I love searching for gifts, I love asking for items to be donated for others, I love giving things away.

There is a wonderful young lady that I usually tell her "when I grow up that I want to be just like you." She is a giver. She is a giver for the JOY of it. She is constantly looking for things to give and ways to give. She simply enjoys giving - she knows first hand the joy of Spreading Joy. Wonder Woman (name changed so she doesn't kill me because she gives - not for recognition - but simply for the joy of it.) had no idea on my birthday this year that I was working on Spreading Joy Corporation's application for tax exempt status. She did not know that I was even tossing any of these non profit ideas around or that Spreading Joy was a dream of mine. Knowing that I simply LOVE and adore and am totally addicted to coffee, (that delicious liquid gold) she gave a coffee cup for my birthday. Now, I know, you must be thinking - Ummm, ok then - whatever, but, along with big dreams comes a lot of scary things. Will I fail, will I succeed, will I be able to do this, work a full time job AND take 3 classes and take care of my family all at the same time? I had a lot of questions and the unknown is very scary. When I opened my gift - you would have thought she had just given me a million bucks! The coffee cup was a beautiful light blue color with one word on it. Bet you can't even begin to guess what it says. JOY - written in cursive with a star above it. I knew as I held my gift that things were going to work out. No matter what happens, no matter what comes my way, if I just remember that "There's no joy like Spreading Joy" - everything else will be ok. It was several days later that I gave Wonder Woman (also, Wonder Woman is my favorite superhero) a thank you card and I took the time to tell her about Spreading Joy. She remembered which cup she had given me and she knew in an instant that it encouraged me more than she even thought it would.

I'm so thankful that Wonder Woman is such a giver. She encourages me and motivates me to do more. I'm very thankful to be apart of Spreading Joy. I try to do at least one thing for someone every day. There are days when I do more, but at the very minimum, I want to be spreading joy somewhere, somehow - daily.

One of the things I love to do is give away McDonald's sundae's. They are only $1.00 and on a hot day they are such a nice treat. I usually get 5 at a time and then just give them to random people. Once, we (my children and I) took them to some construction workers. It was hot and late in the day. We simply walked up, handed them the entire tray, wished them a nice day and left. We didn't say we were spreading joy, we didn't ask them for anything - just gave it to them and left. They actually looked a little shocked, but I'm sure they enjoyed it.

I love giving. I love seeing how it encourages people, I love the genuine smile that comes from a freshly warmed heart. I love the hugs and the love from spreading joy.

Give - just for the Joy of it.

"You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. " ~ Albert Schweitzer

~Cup of Joy ~
Take another sip of some delicious coffee as you enjoy these tid bits of joy!

Eight Gifts That Don't Cost

THE GIFT OF LISTENING...But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for familyand friends.

THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories.Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, hand-written note may be remembered for a lifetime... It may even change a life.

THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...A simple and sincere, "You look great in red,"You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really...It's not that hard to say,"Hello" or "Thank You" or "I love You".

THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP...Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.They lend an ear, they share a word of praise....And they always want to open their hearts to us.

Author Unknown