"The only gift is a portion of thy self." - Emerson
"For it is in giving that we receive." - Saint Francis of Assissi
Markus has been participating in a program at school called "Kindness Counts", where he has learned a different life skill each month since school started and this months skill is "giving". The students are asked to choose an activity from a list to practice the skill and write briefly about it. Then after their parent signs it, they turn it in for a prize from the treasure box in class. Some of the suggestions written for this month were:
This holiday season, try giving yourself - an act that requires creativity, thought, and sometimes sacrifice.
- Write a letter and/or make a beautiful card to send to someone who lives far away from you.
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- Earn money by doing jobs, then donate it to help the needy.
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- Be an elf, and do acts of kindness for members of your family, leaving them a little anonymous note to let them know someone cares about them.
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- Help a neighbor by raking leaves, walking a pet, or taking them a homemade treat or gift.
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- Choose one or more of your toys that are in good condition, clean it and donate it to an organization in need of toys for children in need.
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- Give a coupon to your teachers, promising them to improve in an area in which you've had trouble. Then follow through on your promise.
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- Make any gifts that you can for your family, friends, and others. Coupons for any services you can perform for them are always great!
When I went upstairs to go to bed I found this on my nightstand:
"From your elf.
To you"
