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Simple Giving

Simple Giving

Have you ever had someone just bless you more than they could possibly think they were going to? Well I have, and I thought I would share it with you today as a little bit of inspiration!

A few years ago, I was working for a retail company and the bulk of my job was traveling to sites and training team members. This particular year, I had 10 Area Managers that were working on my team, and Linda was one of my Area Managers. Linda was an amazing team member to me, a dedicated mentor to her team, and a strong leader among her peers. In addition, she also became a great friend to me. She is one of those amazing people that come along from time to time and truly brighten up your life. Oh, and did I mention she could bake!

I had been traveling for weeks…

I had been traveling for weeks that year and was missing family and the comforts of home. As I went about my travel schedule, I spent a few days in Linda’s territory and provided a training for her team members. The two-day training went well, and as we were cleaning up the meeting room, Linda handed me a reusable plastic box that contained cupcakes. She had made a beautiful spread of food for the team to enjoy during the lunch break, and cupcakes to enjoy as well. I had not had the opportunity to taste any of the cupcakes but knowing Linda I thought they would be delicious! As Linda gave me the box of cupcakes, I got a little teary, and thanked her profusely for the kind gesture.

After the cleanup was complete, I headed to my room wondering if I had the energy to go down to the restaurant for dinner, or if I should just head to the vending machine. I made it to my room, did a quick check of my email, grabbed the remote control and sat down in a chair, putting my feet up on the ottoman. In that moment, I am not sure if I was ready to relax, or just so tired I could not think of anything to do. I flipped on the TV to the guide channel and sat staring for about an hour.

Cupcakes and Sprinkles

I was so tired.

I finally realized that I was so tired that I had just been watching the guide channel. Fully exhausted, I didn’t even want to move and truly didn’t want to think about what to watch. The thought of having to go find dinner made me a little teary. I was truly hungry,  and had no energy left to get dinner.

And then I spotted them…. the box of cupcakes from Linda. Thankfully, it was within arm’s reach. I extended my arm, pulled the cupcake box to me, and opened the lid. The smell of raspberry buttercream and chocolate wafted up out of the box. Yum. I had not even taken a bite and felt a bit revived. Carefully I peeled back the wrapper, brought the perfect cupcake to my mouth and took a bite. I don’t think that I can express how delicious that cupcake truly was. It was so fresh, so homemade, so perfectly flavorful. I slowly ate the rest of the cupcake and relished every morsel. And suddenly I felt more cared for than I had in weeks.

Even a Cupcake can change someone’s day for the better.

But this is not about cupcakes.

If you are like me, you are suddenly about right now, having a hankering for cupcakes, and I must confess, this story is not really about cupcakes. It’s about someone taking time out of their day to infuse care into someone else’s life. Linda truly understood the meaning of hospitality and expressed it whenever she invited new customers into her stores, people into her home, or even at a training meeting. I am so thankful that she took the time to give me the gift of cupcakes that day, and so thankful that she also taught me a lesson in hospitality that day. It only takes something so very simple, like a cupcake to show someone that they matter, that they are welcome, and that you care.

I sometimes fall into the state of mind of thinking that I would somehow be weird or bother someone by gifting them a home cooked meal, or cupcakes, or help in anyway. A few years ago I wrote about starting a Meal Train specifically so that people could sign up to bring meals to a new mom, or someone just out of the hospital, or someone who needs a pick me up. I think that in our current society we have fallen so far from being truly hospitable, that we shrink away from doing this very thing. Blessing someone with a meal. If that is you, do it anyway. I do! Give from your heart, freely, and often.

Cupcake Quote

Give with intention

So, as you work your way through this Season, and as life gets busy with all the things that holidays bring, remember that the simplest of gestures can make someone’s day. It can truly change someone’s outlook and perspective and can energize someone when they need it the most! If you want to focus your intention to give, use my Fall Giving Planner. You can use it to plan out exactly how you will give in many different areas this fall.

So, I would love to hear your ideas, and what your favorite way to give is in the comments below. And if you need idea, read my post on Random Acts of Kindness. 

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Simple Giving