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Have you taken up my challange to be a Blessing over the next month?  I hope so!  Whether you are planning on taking part or just considering it, I thought I’d make a couple of lists that might inspire you.

8 Ways to Be a Blessing 

1. Say Something Nice - It should be an honest and heartfelt compliment.  Make sure you look them right in the eye when you say it, and watch the joy that washes over them at a simple compliment.  You’d be surprised how powerful a small, heartfelt compliment is.  (For more compliment fun visit the Friday Felicitations Movement!)

2. Send a Card – It’s really a shame that email is taking over the art of letter writing, because, honestly, who doesn’t love to get mail?  But hey, that’s on your side now, the fact that no one sends letters any more makes the few they do get all that much more special.  Card writing is a really powerful way to reach out and touch someone.  I once had a woman I knew tell me that for months she packed up the card I’d sent her everyday and brought it to work and then brought it back home with her.  Pick a card that really makes you think of the recipient, and write a few words of encouragement or praise in it, pray over, and send it out.  No snail mail?  There’s always e-cards.

3. Treat Someone – Pick up a coffee on your way in to the office.  Call up an overworked mom and offer to treat her to lunch.  Bake cookies for your neighbors.  Spontaneously say, “This time’s on me.” when out with a friend.  Surprise someone (sick, new baby, overwhelmed) with a hot, prepared dinner at their door.

4. Lend an (unasked for) Hand – Some people have a hard time asking for help; they don’t want to impose or ask too much.  If you know someone is overwhelmed then it’s the perfect time to insist on helping out (don’t take no for an answer).  A few Christmases ago Wakizashi was away on business and I was sick the whole time he was gone.  I had no car, no wrapping paper, no tape, my house was a disaster (of course, with mom too sick to clean up), and Wakizashi was going to be home that night with a gift exchange the next day.  Imagine my surprise when two of my friends drove 30 mins to get to my house laden with dinner supplies, tape, wrapping paper, and cleaning supplies.  They folded my laundry, washed my dishes, put my dinner on, and then slipped away.  I would never have asked, but couldn’t have been more blessed. 

5. Organize a Union of Blessers – Know something too big for you to take on alone?  It’s not as hard as you think to get others on board to help someone.  Everyone wants to be a blessing, they often just don’t know how or where to begin.  Start sharing your vision and I’m sure you’ll find all the help you need.  With online groups and forums, church, and friends you’ll have no shortage of people willing to give a little towards giving a lot.

6. Give a Gift – Know someone who can’t afford winter boots for their daughter?  Someone who loves Flannel PJs, but never buys them?  See a perfect gift you think would be a blessing to your neighbor up the road?  Money isn’t always an object with gift giving; in this case it truly is the thought that counts.  Besides, sometimes giving up Starbucks for a month is a good reminder of how much of a blessing it is to us to have it.

7. Try a Random Act of Kindness – Keep your eyes out for people who look down, stressed, worried, or struggling.  Be randomly kind to them.  Hold doors.  Entertain children.  Pay for their groceries (thanks Jana), or their meal.

8. Give Money or Necessities - You can give it to a collection, or directly to people who you know are in need.  Buy gift cards, give cash anonymously.  Leave groceries on their front step. 

Money can sometimes seem like a hinderance to giving, but it’s possible to be an even bigger blessing by giving only a little.  Happiness comes from know someone else cares, saw you, was even willing to help.  Think about if it was you, what would bless you?  Now, go out and do it for someone else.

4 People to Bless

1. Someone you admire or look up to – tell them how you feel about them, or what they do that you appreciate so much.

2. Someone in a menial job that you see all the time – you never realize how thankless being a grocery or coner store cashier is until you are one yourself.  Spread a little cheer to someone in a dreary service job.

3. Someone you know to be in need – whether you know them or not.

4. Random Strangers – the guy behind you in line or the lady in toy aisle with the crying baby.  You never know, you could be reaching angels unaware.

There ya go, a Dozen inspiring possibilities for spreading the Blessings beyond the Christmas season.  (And, two pairs of pajamas because I’m a day behind in photo posting.)

On Flaming Renaissance: In the Center of Purpose   Friday Felicitations