Tapping into the generosity

What we need in this world are waves of generosity. And artful living. And making things with our own sweet tiny hands.

I saw this posted tonight on my friend Elizabeth's blog and knew immediately that I wanted to participate, to be swept into the simplicity of making and giving.

Here's what Elizabeth wrote:

It’s a generosity meme in which you make stuff for five people. Check it out...

The first five (cinq) (cinco) (5) people to respond to this post in the comments will get something made by me. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully…

I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. (No refunds… no exchanges!!!!) What I create will be just for you, with love from me. It’ll be done this calendar year (2009) and when you get it, you have to let me know it arrived.

I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. I may even create something totally unbelievable and surprise you!! It will be handmade and may be any medium I choose. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!

I reserve the right to do something painterly or whatever - it may be just weird!

The original meme requires you to post this text into a note/post of your own and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to it. I’m not going to require that of you. If you would like to do it, great. I encourage you to do it but it’s not a requirement.

I am already plotting and planning what I will make. This isn't just for artists--it's for human beings. We're all artists, all able to create something precious for another human being. Yes, yes we are. One of the most gorgeous things I've ever received was a small box of precious stones from a child I met once--she made it for me, assembling it, cherishing it, giving it. You can do the same.

So, if you are interested, leave a comment below. I'll draw five names from those submitted by 5 p.m. Eastern tomorrow, Saturday, May 9 (in a departure from Elizabeth's "first five" plan) and will let you know if you're on my list of five!

Whether your name is drawn or not, I hope you'll play, participate, make, and give. Post this on your blog, tweet it, put a sign up in your office, find a way to be involved in it. Let's hold up five people this year, creating beauty for them. Yes, let's.

Comments

[Jyotsna]

"One of the most gorgeous things I've ever received was a small box of precious stones from a child I met once--she made it for me, assembling it, cherishing it, giving it."

Reminds of the time I gave my young cousin a necklace. She immediately took it apart and gave one of the gorgeous blue enamel beads back to me. So we could share something pretty. I was quite horrified, taken aback and then touched by her generosity.

Your post has sparked a million ideas in my head. I hope I'm one the cinco people but I'll be doing this regardless. Thanks, Patti!

[edie]

I was born on 5/5 and I just turned 50 on Tuesday - that's gotta be auspicious! I'm in- this sounds like lovely fun. (And no, I haven't forgotten I need to learn to make a video with my little Flip about carving a stamp to honor your 50 things for 50 years...) Carving the stamp is a whole lot easier than figuring out how to make the video!

Thanks for the catalyst!

Edie

[Kathy]

You've already made me a smile; don't bother putting my name in for the other.

I saw a friend do this on FB, and I was so shocked - twas some Dude, whom I never would have suspected made anything with his hands but oil changes.

[Janet Smith]

What a lovely idea -- I am going to play.

-janet

[Nancy Peevey]

Patti, count me in please! A terrific idea! There is nothing like doing something for someone else. There is nothing more fulfilling. I love this idea! Nancy P. P.S. My return key isn't working, so no paragraphs.

[Viv McWaters]

As a self-confessed fan of generosity in all its forms this is just perfect. Thanks again Patti for starting something wonderful that makes the world a little bit better. I've been looking for something to post on my blog on this cool, grey and damp May Saturday, and guess what? This is it.
Viv

[Lisa Smith]

Hello amazing friend...YES...ANNNNDDDDD....I send a smile at what our mutual friends have started...

[Connie]

the smallest things made from the heart are the absolute best. I still have art-i-facts that my children made when they were small in with the "good" stuff! this is one of the many feel good posts...thanks... I will participate on my end! All the best to you!

[BetsyBF]

Oh, can I be in the running? It's my birthday on mothers' day - 36. Ulp.

[Amy]

Nancy! I am going to start using this line whenever I feel as if everything is just running together with no spaces between....

"Sorry, my return key isn't working".

LOVE IT. LOVE IT.

You are a poet.

Amy

[Imelda / GreenishLady]

This is one of my favourite things about the BlogWorld... the gifts shared by new friends, and I'd love to be included. I've participated in "One World, One Heart" twice, and loved the gifts that came my way, but more than that, so enjoyed preparing gifts to send out. So, whether I'm one of your lucky five or not, I'll be doing this on my blog too. (I also like that it's to be accomplished within this year. That I can do!)

[Judith]

I'm in! I had decided to challenge myself to Write The Letter; I love adding Make The Stuff.

[gwyn]

I love this. I have always preferred making rather than buying gifts. I also have a small box of precious stones, but I made it for myself :-)

[Niki Weippert]

Count me in! Great idea.

[Chris Meissner]

Hi Patti, What a fabulous idea....Love it!! I'm all in. christinemeissner.blogspot.com

[Lauren Gaw]

I guess this makes me number eight. I will eagerly participate in this artful challenge but do not know if 5 people will comment or respond if I place it on my facebook...then what?

[Susan]

Hey, Patti ~

I adore this idea and will definitely participate over on my own blog - I too love gifting others (some of which I've made myself)... and this will challenge my wish to expand my creativity even further...

Thanks for the idea - Happy Mother's Day!

[Carolynn]

I've seen this meme going around BloggerLand, too. It's a great idea, fun and inspiring.

[Gabrielle Fabian]

Patti I'm in with this ;)
I've seen the 'Pay it Forward' phenom for awhile in blogland but YOUR post has caused me to ACT.
THANK YOU... for this and so much more......
Cheers,
Gaye

[Lynne]

Patti: Your post reminds me of the most precious birthday gift I have ever received.

I was a school district technology director with a special project going with the behavior disorder kids. They used palm pilots to track their behavior throughout the day, and it was working very well to help remind them to stay in check.

Amy was one of the students. She dressed in goth, complete with dog collar and black lip stick. I first learned about Amy through my clean as a whistle, Girl Scout daughter who was in her class and came home to say one day, "You know, Amy is pretty scary to look at, but I talked to her today and she is nice." So I took a special interest.
Found out her mother was a drug addict who took Amy's sister and disappeared one night, never to return, except for a few harassing phone class during drug-induced stupors. Amy was in trouble a lot at school and really struggled to read.

The kids were selected to give a presentation for our state school board conference about their behavior modification project. Amy arrived sans Goth. Did a fabulous job talking to board members. Never showed up in Goth to school again, and I'm proud to say she is a National Honor Society member now, and a senior to be next year.

The gift? A hastily crocheted winter scarf, about 18 inches long, with about twice as many rows at one end than the other. She clearly ran out of yarn, or time, or both. I wore that scarf with pride all winter because I know the amount of focus and caring that went into it. It's the only gift that has ever made me cry when I opened it. It came with a big homemade card and a small homemade chocolate cake she wanted me to share with the teachers in the lounge.

So your challenge inspires me to give back. I could not equal Amy's gift, but promise to give it attention and time. Two things we all are short on these days.

I look forward to meeting you when you're in Nebraska in June.