by Connie Ash

As 2016 comes to an end and planning for 2017 begins, you may find yourself stressed and with nothing left to give. As women, we often feel the need to give one-hundred percent of what we have to others or to causes that are meaningful to us.
Being a giver should bring us joy, but instead, we often feel stress. Acute stress comes in the form of physical and mental symptoms, like fatigue, irritability, anxiety and tension, depression, headaches, shortness of breath, insomnia, disorganization and short-term memory problems.

So what do we do when we feel like we need to give more, but stress is making it impossible. Some of us will buy self-help books, sign up for a time management course, buy a planner or set up an online calendar so we can better manage our time. Others may develop unhealthy habits, like over-eating, quitting an exercise plan, or cutting back on sleep.

So, let’s make 2017 a year of giving to ourselves. Here are a few simple, practical ways to give yourself the best possible chance a living a good life:

1. Make time for you – Fill Your Whole Tank: Look at your life in a systematic way — consider the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects. When these four components are in harmony, you will find a peace and energy. Ask yourself what you are doing daily to nurture these four aspects of your life. If one is being neglected, look at ways to concentrate on it. This will help you to stay focused and intentional about what you are doing personally and professionally.

2. Cultivate an attitude of acceptance – Be Intentional about Having Healthy Disruptions in Your Life: Take periodic breaks from your daily routines at work and at home. Read a magazine at lunchtime instead of working at your desk or run on your home treadmill while you watch the sunrise instead of racing to the gym! This kind of “change of pace” will actually increase your energy and renew your spirit.

3. Establish Your Boundaries and Communicate Them: Remember that you are the one making changes in how you prioritize your activities and live your life. No one else will set those important boundaries for you. It is ok to say no. Tell everyone – you are giving yourself the best 2017 possible.

Connie is a 50-something wife, mother, Nana, doggie mom, vegetarian, living in the small community of Blytheville, AR. located in the far Northeast corner of the State. She shares a home with her husband aka The Big Man, 14 rescue dogs and 7 chickens. Collectively they have six adult near-perfect children and five perfect grandboys, 1 sweet granddaughter, 2 god-daughters and 5 awesome granddogs.  Connie is a family nurse practitioner who runs a small clinic and manages a free health clinic (Great River Charitable Clinic). She and the Big Man also own and operate Bed and Biscuit Boarding. Connie is an active member of the Blytheville Humane Society. Her Blog http://scrapbookwife.blogspot.com/ chronicles her journey to live a balance simple life making her little corner of the world a better place to live.

by Brenda McClain

J.O.Y. was engraved on a pendant received upon high school graduation; and on the back was  –  Jesus; Others: Yourself. Thanks to a fire, the pendant is long-gone.The message? With me to this day.

It’s my hope the meaning of the message has grown with me as I’ve matured as a Christian and a human being.

How do we Give? Do we give for the right reasons?  

A friend once queried another friend upon bailing someone out of home foreclosure the third time with nary a Thank you, “Have you ever thought you are interfering with God’s plan?”

Why do we give? To support one another?  Or assuage our own egos?  Sometimes it’s a hard call.

Matthew 6:2, KJV: Jesus says, “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”

He doesn’t say IF you give, but When you give. Not Giving is never an option.  

This season always reminds how wonderful it is that I am surrounded by silent givers.

Meet a few of my “Giving Heroes”:

GIVE TIME; TALENTS; SHOW YOUR CHILDREN WHAT GIVING MEANS.

Meet the Tim Capps Family of Greenbriar, Arkansas.

 Lorie Capps goes out of her way to help others; and never saying a word about her good deeds, she is always sharing her time and talents to help others. Her husband, Tim, is a Firefighter AND Registered Nurse.

Their oldest son, Corbin is a student at Harding University and Cael is a student at Compass Academy in Conway.

GIVE FROM YOUR HEART

Ruth Langford of Conway, Arkansas  Ruth, along with friend Jan Cunningham created a puppet ministry and have shared with children at Robinson & Center Church of more than 20 years. Dedicated to Giving.

GIVE OF YOUR TIME AND TALENTS:  

SHEILA PARSONS, also of Conway has shared her knowledge of Art with Art on the Green students for more than three years.  She also volunteers, has given Art lessons to Southridge Residents for many years.

 

Brenda McClain is Gallery Director for Art on the Green, the art vortex for Central Arkansas.  Her blog, brendamcclain.com tells about her life and experiences in the Entertainment  Business as the former CEO for MPR, a Nashville, Tn. based Public Relations agency.

You will usually find her having a morning Starbucks in Art on the Green, reading the headlines on her iPad mini.  She’ll be the one in black and if the sun is shining maybe even wearing sunglasses!  

 

by Keri Bucci

The Christmas season is upon us once again! It is a time of joy, hope, good will towards men and of course giving gifts. Like most children, my favorite part about the holidays was making out my Christmas list and waking up to gifts on Christmas Day.
One of my fondest memories is thinking back to all those Christmas Eve nights when my younger brother and I would sleep in the same room. I use the word “sleep” loosely because we would lay awake most of the night listening for noises in the living room and taking turns guessing what was under the tree. It was all about the presents for us! The thought of not knowing what was in all those boxes was almost too much excitement to beare! It was fun sharing those times with my brother all those years ago. Now I enjoy seeing that same excitement and anticipation in my own little guy!

It’s a shame that those fun memories and the joy of gifts seem to fade away in the midst of our busy lives. As we grow into adults the practice of giving can turn into something much less magical. We often go from that child like excitement to dread when the thoughts of those strained budgets and crowded stores come dancing into our heads. So much for those sugar plums we read about in stories!

In the past I would spend so much time staying busy with work and rushing around during the season that I would end up frantically searching for anything that was left on the shelves Christmas week. I think the worst part for me is knowing just how little thought I would put behind any of the names I was checking off my list. Where is the joy or love in that? Shouldn’t I at least think of these people’s needs or desires before just choosing random things off shelves?

Now that I have gotten older I try to remember to slow down and remember the important parts of the holiday season. I still love all the beautiful decorations and the cheesy holiday movies on Hallmark Channel but I also try to focus more time on the spirit behind giving and how it all began. How can we not start with the greatest gift of all. Our precious Lord and Savior born in a manger all those many years ago. Our greatest gift of all time. One that had powerful thought and purpose behind it.
A gift so sacrificially given that it would impact the world and each of our lives for eternity. It was meaningful giving in its truest form. Full of love,kindness, mercy and grace. I am thankful for the gift of Christ and His love for each of us. This gift could never be bought on a mad dash to the store but it was one that would be impossible to top. I long to use that type of love and selfless joy in my personal giving.

This year, my husband and I have decided that we want to enjoy Christmas and it’s true meaning again. To give gifts that will impact and bless those we love instead of giving them things we have rushed around to stores to grab. So no more rushed shopping trips or extended budgets! That is a gift we are graciously giving ourselves and those we love. We will be finding the pure joy again this season while finding new ways to bless others. We pray they see our hearts and the love of Christ through us.
I know there are many who shop for Christmas gifts each year and they shop a lot of thought behind each item they give. I applaud them because that is so wonderful. I just wish I had been doing the same all these years. This is long over due for us and I am truly looking forward to finding the joys in giving again.

Keri is a sassy southern girl who loves cooking, reading and spending time with her family. She is a former corporate minded gal turned homeschool mom. She blogs at My Table for Three. She can be found sharing sugar and gluten free recipes more over on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

by Jeanetta Darley

Which is more difficult? Giving away your money or giving away your time?

Honestly, I know for me it is very easy to just write a check or drop a few bills a bucket.  It’s easy to empty my loose change purse and feel good that maybe somehow I fell into that “gave all she had” category.  Well, at that time maybe.  Money is tangible.  It can be held and counted (whether is large or small amounts).

But my time in a way seems more precious.  Something I should guard closely.  It’s the one thing we cannot create more of.  There will always only be so many seconds, minutes, hours, days, and so on that we have.  And even that number is unknown.  Why would we willing give away an unrenewable resource?  But often it’s the human connection that makes a bigger impact on the recipient as well as the giver. 

“You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. “

On Giving by Kahlil Gibran

If we are to truly embrace this season of giving, it seems we need to go further than the hollow sound coins make when they hit the inside of the bell ringer’s plastic red bucket.  Maybe we need to be the one ringing the bell.

You can give of your time is simple ways.  The act of listening, or reading, or walking with someone during a difficult time is a great example.  You can cook a meal for someone one you know or help feed those in need that you may not know.  Showing up is the first step.

We all know we have those moments when we feel we should do more.  And we let the guilt eat at us when we can’t seem to “take the time”.  Quit trying to take time.  Try giving it.

Jeanetta is an artist, blogger, and sometimes homesteader.  She’s addicted to coffee, her garden, and chickens. You can see her art and read more stories at JeanettaDarley.com.  Or follow her on social media @jeanettadarley