The Best Thing You Can Give is Yourself

One of the things I have always known about myself is that I must feel as though the time I spend is contributing to the world. That was one of the reasons I chose the Mary Kay opportunity. There are so many ways to give through our business. Mary Kay has a term for a giving spirit. It is “Go-Give.” Our founder often spoke of the importance of this attitude. In fact, we have Go-Give Award that is still the company’s most honorable award.

To Go-Give means to give without the intention of receiving anything for yourself. It is a bit ironic because, even though we may not expect anything for ourselves, we always receive when we give. I experienced this recently while volunteering at an Adult Day Center. One of my customers works there and suggested that I offer a pampering session sometime. I did. And WOW!

The center is a joyful place that offers caregivers and routine for people who need assistance during the work day. This enables families to stay together instead of placing loved ones in the care of a long-term facility like a nursing home. What a blessing for a family!

We had so much fun at the pampering session! Guests participated at all different levels. I was very impressed that even those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia still knew the Mary Kay name and products! What a testimony to the company! We did facials, make-up, satin hand treatments, and painted fingernails. Everyone looked gorgeous and had a lot of fun in the process!

Don’t ever underestimate the power of feeling pretty – just think about the last time you ran into the grocery store un-showered and in sweats – how many people did you talk to? Or were you more interested in getting out of there before someone saw you? Now compare that to the last time you “dolled up!” See?! ☺

The very best part of the day was when I was about to leave. A woman who had a facial and make-up session ran up to me. She hugged me and thanked me with a gigantic smile on her face! She even did a little dance when the Activities Coordinator took her picture! This is the same woman who was a little reluctant to participate at first.

What I received that day was priceless and reminds me that what I am doing is very important…one face at a time. We all have something to offer others. You know the saying, “To give is better than to receive.” I’d like to add to that saying: Some gifts can only be received through the gift of yourself! Isn’t that true? Most people just want a little of us. Now, Go Give!

That Sound

You know that sound you hear in September in the Midwest – the one that gently buzzes from the grass?! When you hear it, you know it is familiar; you instinctively know that this sound is ancient. It’s the grasshoppers and the crickets and all the late Summer insects singing their last hoorah.

I love that sound. It reminds me that the Earth is alive, all over, every bit of it. I think it is because that sound is so constant. It goes on without interruption and even carries on into the night with more crickets and katydids. It is as if the Midwestern land is saying, “Summer may be coming to an end, but I won’t waste a single precious moment!”

And isn’t that just how we feel too? As Summer comes to an end, we get one last chance to relish the warm weather, sunshine, and peaceful breeze. I’ve always said that September is my favorite month in Indiana. The weather is absolutely perfect. The light casts gorgeous rays of warmth and color. Gardens and fields are over-flowing with bounty. Yet it is bitter-sweet because we know that in a mere 60 days, everything will be different.

The long days of Summer can trick us. We get so used to having sunlight until 9 or 10 at night; It seems those carefree days just go on forever. September reminds us so gently that change is coming.

So…get out there and enjoy those last rays; spend every minute you can outside. You’ll be glad you did come November. And listen to the trills of the crickets throughout the month – they sound different day by day.