HEAD
During a few potlucks and celebrations such as Christmas last year, we kept a kindness table with art, craft, books, candles, frames, food items, plants, pots, bookmarks, and various household knick-knacks. The idea was to give away something that was no longer useful, was in excess, or simply something that had reached its time to move to a new owner.
All the gifts were preloved. All the gifts had a backstory. And all the gifts were of value to someone else.
This experience of giving and receiving was beautiful and it suggested how easily we can create joy. This is an act of service with easy access for everyone. As a bonus, we make space in our homes and in our hearts for new emergence!
So every day this month, why don’t we give in kindness? Let us exercise the muscles of our hearts on the treadmill of generosity and the regenerative cycle of sharing!
HANDS
Every day of this month we will give away one or more things that may be in excess or not useful anymore. We start with simpler choices and then move to things we may even treasure!
To give away things in kindness, some of us may want to first take stock of our possessions by decluttering the spaces in the house and segregating the things to be given away. This will surely make more space in our homes and in our hearts!
It is a liberating feeling to let go of things we’re attached to, almost a spiritual experience.
Starting from 1st March, we can take out 10-15 mins every day to take stock of the things we could give away.
Here are some suggestions:
Zoom in by location or category.
- By Location – Start tidying one corner of the house every day.
- By Category –
- Books
- Stationary
- Clothes
- Utensils
- Photo frames
- Shoes and chappals
- Kitchen apparatus
- Magazines
- Electronic appliances
- Mementoes and Showpieces
- Accessories
- Plants and planters
You can identify the right recipient for the gift (for example, an NGO, orphanage, thrift store, a person, a fledgeling office, helpers, recycling centers, etc.).
You can also decide to let the recipients choose what they want. Open house with some eatables perhaps? A kindness table in the hallway or in the colony? It is a great way to meet neighbours and like-minded strangers.
Or you can gift anonymously to spread the joy of giving!
HEART
Share your progress, the experience of segregating and giving away, and even the stories of your possessions and what letting go meant to you. What expanded in your being? What did this “sharing” open?
Share in the comments of this post and in the WhatsApp group when comments open.