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

Day 34 - ❦ Freedom of opinion is a gift to be honored

Day 34

The Gift: A political button

I am always surprised at how our kids can both reflect who we are and who we are not all at the same time. My friends from college are in Minnesota visiting me and they are staying with me my family - we are all having a great time. One of the great delights that I have had during their stay is watching as their personalities and quirks show up in their two children, and I suppose, they may be observing the same thing about me and my family. My friend Cheryl is an attorney. She is brilliant and could have gone into any law practice she wanted; and she did. She works for the Public Defenders Office for the City of Baltimore. Pretty hard core work, but she believes in social justice to the core of her being. Maybe that’s why we have been good friends for so many years. Her oldest daughter, Julia, is eleven years old and is tall and lanky, really good at sports and very smart. Already she is politically engaged and will take on any political debate that comes her way and will hold her own. It has been really great having another feisty young person in our home for an additional spark to the spirited debates that happen around here.

We have always considered ourselves extremely tolerant of others who have differing opinions than we do, and in fact, we often hold differing opinions within our own household. Accepting others’ opinions, or providing a platform for a wide range of opinions does not mean that we feel a need to “convert” others to see our side of things. We simply want to provide a platform for ideas, opinions and dreams to percolate and land where they do for our selves and our kids to try on until they find something that resonates within themselves. And as a result, dinner and party conversations are often lively, exciting and offer plenty for all of to think about...really a lot of fun. Sometimes the discussion gets tense and we have to agree to disagree, but I would have to say that I have always learned something from every conversation that has ever taken place in our home. That in and of itself is a huge gift that we receive from those who are open and honest with their thoughts, ideas, opinions and dreams. In short, we cultivate and value developing and sharing opinions. That value is not always popular within systems that work to maintain the “status quo” and so I am sure you can imagine that my husband and myself are frequently called into parent-teacher conferences because our girls are arguing, sharing their opinions or dissenting with authorities. As long as it is respectful, we shrug in sympathy with the teacher and let them know that we value spirited discussion in our home.

While my friends are visiting with their girls the nights are long with discussion. Even though we are pretty like-minded, we all have differing views on the root causes of problems and thus the systemic solutions. Our children engage in these and other political discussions and offer fresh perspectives - the discussions are rich and lively! After one such discussion the girls take off for a walk. I notice that Julia has a messenger bag that is covered with buttons; some say things I can’t repeat and others are throw-backs to the nineteen sixties and seventies. My gifting opportunity has just presented itself.

Minnesota is a hotbed for political activity and our exchange student went to hear John Kerry speak in Rochester, Minnesota when he was here recently. She picked up an extra button for me which I retrieved from my bulletin board and slipped onto Julia’s messenger bag. It was perfect. She is a Kerry supporter and was proud to have her political opinions recognized and valued by the gift.

     ❦ Freedom of opinion is a gift to be honored

Freedom of expression vandalized again!

Author's Note: The sadness that hits me as I read this post is indescribable...for the second time during this current political year the political signs that I have proudly displayed in my yard have been vandalized and stolen. The violation of my freedom to have an opinion is really hurtful and is impacting me to my core. Although they are "just signs" they represent something that I believe in...a basic right which belongs to all in this country...the freedom of speech - no matter whether or not you agree with the particular opinion...we have a freedom to express our opinions...or at least had one.