Lots of Gifts in This Post Today!

Everyday that I write this journal I have the opportunity to re-experience the gifts that I received daily as I gave; and I am finding myself smiling, tearing up and straight out laughing out loud as I remember each day. When I began writing this journal, I wasn’t sure what I was hoping to accomplish - I just knew I had a story to tell...the words were writing themselves and I couldn’t rest until I put them on paper.  It wasn’t until the fifth or sixth person told me that I needed to publish this story that I began to focus my attention on that...me publishing?

Well I have published this story as an e-book (and today I received the gift of my first royalty check!!! thank you all who purchased my book, and if you haven't yet...info is included below...) I am now working on publishing a giving journal in paperback that you can use to write your own story...write about and share your own giving experiences.

In my e-book and in the blog posts each daily story is accompanied by prompts for reflection: Day; The Gift (what did you give); The story behind the gift (why did you give what you did); Observations (how people, including yourself, responded); Feelings  (how did you feel?); Thoughts about the experience (what did you learn). Are you using these prompts? Have you found yourself giving and writing about the topic, or have you found yourself writing in a different direction? I would love to hear your thoughts about a hard-cover/paperback daily giving journal and would like to know what you would find useful in the journal. I have included a feedback form on my home page to enter your feedback or you can write a comment below. Thank you in advance for your generousity!

For your convenience and experience, I have included a blank journal page on this site for you to use and I would love to hear how your giving experiences go...that would be your gift to me. Give, receive, share and enjoy! The link to the blank journal page is: Daily Giving Journal Page

Each person who provides feedback on my upcoming giving journal by September 13th will receive a FREE COPY, mailed to you upon publication, which is anticipated to be mid-October..just in time for the season of giving. This is a great deal, and I want you to all know how much I appreciate the gifts you have given me through your opinions, feedback and support by purchasing my e-book.

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today, I am going to give you another example of putting the words into action for you. I began the exercise of giving every day at a time when I could have used a little push to get underway; we often need that little extra encouragement, accountability, support...whatever you want to call it, so this time around I am giving to all of you a few questions to respond to, journal about or contemplate related to your individual daily giving experience. If the questions stir something in you - great, if they do not - great, write about that. The most important part is to do something. Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...enjoy...
To read Day 34

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords (see sidebar for limited time coupon code for 25% off) or for your Kindle at 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

Today's Giving Thought: "Freedom of opinion is a gift to be honored"

Day 34 - For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• What impact did your gift have?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords  see coupon in sidebar for Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To read Day 34 click on this link: Day 34

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

And now available "From The Eye of The Hurricane" eBook a collection of short stories and poems that sets the stage for, and provides the back-story for "100 Days of Giving"

From The Eye of The Hurricane available at Smashwords
From The Eye of the Hurricane eBook for Kindle at Amazon

Whose Opinion Will You Honor Today?

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today, I am going to give you another example of putting the words into action for you. I began the exercise of giving every day at a time when I could have used a little push to get underway; we often need that little extra encouragement, accountability, support...whatever you want to call it, so this time around I am giving to all of you a few questions to respond to, journal about or contemplate related to your individual daily giving experience. If the questions stir something in you - great, if they do not - great, write about that. The most important part is to do something. Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...enjoy...
To read Day 34

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords (see sidebar for limited time coupon code for 25% off) or for your Kindle at 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

Today's Giving Thought: "Freedom of opinion is a gift to be honored"

Day 34 - For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• What impact did your gift have?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords  see coupon in sidebar for Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To read Day 34 click on this link: Day 34

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

And now available "From The Eye of The Hurricane" eBook a collection of short stories and poems that sets the stage for, and provides the back-story for "100 Days of Giving"

From The Eye of The Hurricane available at Smashwords
From The Eye of the Hurricane eBook for Kindle at Amazon

Surprise...this is for you.

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords or for your Kindle at 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today, I am going to give you another example of putting the words into action for you. I began the exercise of giving every day at a time when I could have used a little push to get underway; we often need that little extra encouragement, accountability, support...whatever you want to call it, so this time around I am giving to all of you a few questions to respond to, journal about or contemplate related to your individual daily giving experience. If the questions stir something in you - great, if they do not - great, write about that. The most important part is to do something...and as one of my favorite mentors Yoda said, "There is no try, only do." Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...enjoy...

To read Day 33

Today's Giving Thought: "Simple acts and simple gifts can help the environment."

Day 33 - For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• What surprise did your gift hold?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To read Day 33 click on this link: Day 33

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

And now available "From The Eye of The Hurricane" eBook a collection of short stories and poems that sets the stage for, and provides the back-story for "100 Days of Giving"

From The Eye of The Hurricane available at Smashwords
From The Eye of the Hurricane eBook for Kindle at Amazon

Simple Acts, Simple Gifts, Help the Environment

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords or for your Kindle at 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today, I am going to give you another example of putting the words into action for you. I began the exercise of giving every day at a time when I could have used a little push to get underway; we often need that little extra encouragement, accountability, support...whatever you want to call it, so this time around I am giving to all of you a few questions to respond to, journal about or contemplate related to your individual daily giving experience. If the questions stir something in you - great, if they do not - great, write about that. The most important part is to do something...and as one of my favorite mentors Yoda said, "There is no try, only do." Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...and on Day 32...I got over the barrier experienced on Day 31 and got back to the business of giving...

Today's Giving Thought: "Simple acts and simple gifts can help the environment."

Day 32 - For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• Who or what else did the gift impact?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To read Day 32 click on this link: Day 32

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

And now available "From The Eye of The Hurricane" eBook a collection of short stories and poems that sets the stage for, and provides the backstory for "100 Days of Giving"

From The Eye of The Hurricane available at Smashwords
From The Eye of the Hurricane eBook for Kindle at Amazon

Today, Take Yourself Off The Hook, Embrace Our Humanness

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today, I am going to give you another example of putting the words into action for you. I began the exercise of giving every day at a time when I could have used a little push to get underway; we often need that little extra encouragement, accountability, support...whatever you want to call it, so this time around I am giving to all of you a few questions to respond to, journal about or contemplate related to your individual daily giving experience. If the questions stir something in you - great, if they do not - great, write about that. The most important part is to do something...and as one of my favorite mentors Yoda said, "There is no try, only do." Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...and on Day 31...I hit a big bump...read about it by following this link: Day 31 or the one below.

Today's Giving Thought: "Embrace our humanness."

Day 31 - For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• How are you going to take care of yourself?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To read Day 31 click on this link: Day 31

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

And now available "From The Eye of The Hurricane" eBook a collection of short stories and poems that sets the stage for, and provides the backstory for "100 Days of Giving"

From The Eye of The Hurricane available at Smashwords
From The Eye of the Hurricane eBook for Kindle at Amazon

❦ Family, giving and sharing

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today I am including the most popular posts related to family so far. There are so many wonderful stories ahead of us that I don't want to lose sight of some of the important stories that have already been told. Enjoy and spend some time today thinking about family (however you define family), giving and sharing.

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

And now...enjoy a reprise of posts celebrating family...

Giving to your family

Surprise your family

More surprises

And even more surprises

Caring for your inner child

❦ Family, giving and sharing

Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...

Today's Giving Thought: "How are you going to let someone in your family know you care."

For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• Why did you select the recipient?
• how did you demonstrate your care for them?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

Share your heart and let the conflicting emotions begin

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today, I am going to give you another example of putting the words into action for you. I began the exercise of giving every day at a time when I could have used a little push to get underway; we often need that little extra encouragement, accountability, support...whatever you want to call it, so this time around I am giving to all of you a few questions to respond to, journal about or contemplate related to your individual daily giving experience. If the questions stir something in you - great, if they do not - great, write about that. The most important part is to do something...and as one of my favorite mentors Yoda said, "There is no try, only do." Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...

Today's Giving Thought: "Share your heart."

Day 30 - For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• How did you share your heart?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To read Day 30 click on this link:Day 30

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

And now available "From The Eye of The Hurricane" eBook a collection of short stories and poems that sets the stage for, and provides the backstory for "100 Days of Giving"

From The Eye of The Hurricane available at Smashwords
From The Eye of the Hurricane eBook for Kindle at Amazon

Turn a Treasure into a Gift

100 Days of Giving eBook

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today, I am going to give you another example of putting the words into action for you. I began the exercise of giving every day at a time when I could have used a little push to get underway; we often need that little extra encouragement, accountability, support...whatever you want to call it, so this time around I am giving to all of you a few questions to respond to, journal about or contemplate related to your individual daily giving experience. If the questions stir something in you - great, if they do not - great, write about that. The most important part is to do something...and as one of my favorite mentors Yoda said, "There is no try, only do." Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...

Today's Giving Thought: "Unexpected gifts are fun to give."

Day 29 - For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• What  treasure did you convert to a gift?
• Were you able to release any attachments related to the gift?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To read Day 29 click on this link: Day 29

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

Also by Kathy Stutzman
available now

And now available "From The Eye of The Hurricane" eBook a collection of short stories and poems that sets the stage for, and provides the backstory for "100 Days of Giving"

From The Eye of The Hurricane available at Smashwords
From The Eye of the Hurricane eBook for Kindle at Amazon

A Gift That Impacted Peace

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today, I am going to give you another example of putting the words into action for you. I began the exercise of giving every day at a time when I could have used a little push to get underway; we often need that little extra encouragement, accountability, support...whatever you want to call it, so this time around I am giving to all of you a few questions to respond to, journal about or contemplate related to your individual daily giving experience. If the questions stir something in you - great, if they do not - great, write about that. The most important part is to do something...and as one of my favorite mentors Yoda said, "There is no try, only do." Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...

Today's Giving Thought: "A simple gift can influence world peace."

Day 28 - For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• How did your gift impact the world?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To read Day 28 click on this link: Day 28

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

From The Eye of The Hurricane eBook Now Available

From The Eye of the Hurricane provides some of the backstory for 100 Days of Giving. My desire to give, share and love is a direct result of my experiences. While sometimes difficult, it is important for people who have experienced abuse in their childhood to have hope and to know that we can be in charge of our lives and break the cycle of abuse...as we emerge from the eye of the hurricane.

From the Eye of the Hurricane is a collection of short stories and poems about healing from an abuse survivor’s perspective. Empowering, sad, freeing, then hopeful the stories move the readers from the darkness of the storm to the light at the end of the tunnel, shedding light on what abuse survivors may encounter on their healing journey, and acting as a reminder, that you are not alone, we are not alone.

From The Eye of the Hurricane eBook available at Smashwords
From The Eye of the Hurricane eBook for Kindle on Amazon

From the author...From The Eye of the Hurricane was written during a very intense and difficult time while working to heal from many years of abuse as a child. As the journey neared completion, it became important to share the ups and downs of the daily struggle to find peace to create hope, to build connections and to establish an edge of light to grasp before sinking back into to the darkness.

Despite the difficult days, it was worth it, the cycle of abuse is broken, and I became the person I was intended to be, not the broken cast-off my parents and their parents before them created. My children have known a mother who has fought hard to learn how to do this thing we call life differently than she had been taught. I owed my children that. I am here to tell you that it is possible, although extremely difficult; it is our responsibility to stop the cycle of abuse. It is up to us to be the change we prayed for every night as children. It is not too late and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. Kathy

Ordinary Gifts Made Special

Lots of great links today! Enjoy, give and receive...

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today, I am going to give you another example of putting the words into action for you. I began the exercise of giving every day at a time when I could have used a little push to get underway; we often need that little extra encouragement, accountability, support...whatever you want to call it, so this time around I am giving to all of you a few questions to respond to, journal about or contemplate related to your individual daily giving experience. If the questions stir something in you - great, if they do not - great, write about that. The most important part is to do something...and as one of my favorite mentors Yoda said, "There is no try, only do." Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...

Today's Giving Thought: "An ordinary item can be a lasting gift."

Day 27 - For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• How did you make an ordinary item special?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To learn more about the story of Mama Connie and Uncle Terry: West African Predicament

To read Day 27 click on this link: Day 27 Ordinary Gifts Made Special

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

Create Opportunities For Joy

100 Days of Giving at Amazon

Each day of 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider and the story behind the reflection. Today's giving reflection "share a new memory" is so important considering the number of homeless youth who surround us. Those homeless children, teenagers and young adults have only the items they can carry to connect them with their childhood. Why would they want to remember their childhood?, you might ask...read today's story for one perspective and then consider how you are going to help create or share a new memory for someone.

Here is the link to the story behind the reflection: Day 26 of 100 Days of Giving

I began the exercise of giving every day at a time when I could have used a little push to get underway; we often need that little extra encouragement, accountability, support...whatever you want to call it, so this time around I am giving to all of you a few questions to respond to, journal about or contemplate related to your individual daily giving experience. If the questions stir something in you - great, if they do not - great, write about that. The most important part is to do something...and as one of my favorite mentors Yoda said, "There is no try, only do." Each day in 100 Days of Giving offers you an opportunity to read about alternative giving options as well as some questions to consider...

Today's Giving Thought: "Share a new memory."

Day 26 - For your daily giving journal:

• What did you give today?
• What new memory did you help create for someone?

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

Now that 100 Days of Giving is available as an e-book you can purchase it for $3.99 at Smashwords: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Smashwords and get all of the daily experiences, journaling exercises and stories.

To read Day 26 click on this link: Day 26

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon

What is the Best Gift You Ever Gave?

Each day of the 100 Days of Giving includes a daily reflection for you to consider. Today - I would like to know, "what the best gift you ever gave? To whom? And, what made it the best gift?" I would love to hear your best giving story!

100 Days of Giving e-book

Please feel free to write about your experience in the comments section, share with someone else, or keep to yourself...whatever works for you, just keep in mind that one of the most important part of giving is being open to receiving and the more you share with others, the more you will receive in return. As difficult as receiving may be for you, it is an essential part of giving, so challenge yourself and give receiving a try, or a "do...there is no try, only do."

To read about all 100 days's giving experiences you can download the e-book in a variety of formats at: 100 Days of Giving at Smashwords
or through Amazon for your Kindle: 100 Days of Giving e-book at Amazon