SPINNING YOUR GOLD BLOG: Words that Open Hearts & Inspire Actions
What are you gifting this holy season of love and light?
Over the years, family and friends taught me the value of giving and receiving “unwrapped pressies” to yourself and others.
The reasons are many to give unwrapped pressies as they...
* Don't involve the exchange of money
* Can be given anytime, anywhere to anyone
* Save on wrapping and postage costs
* Always connect the head to the heart
The list to give these kinds of gifts to yourself and loved ones can be as long as your Christmas or holiday "to buy list.”
The reasons are many to give unwrapped pressies as they...
* Don't involve the exchange of money
* Can be given anytime, anywhere to anyone
* Save on wrapping and postage costs
* Always connect the head to the heart
The list to give these kinds of gifts to yourself and loved ones can be as long as your Christmas or holiday "to buy list.”
If you haven’t mindfully engaged in this practice, you’re invited to become a Changel--someone who lets go of the familiar way of gift giving and embraces the changes of the unknown with trust and open-heartedness. Your new mantle blends the best of two words, change + angel. Sure, shopping for and giving gifts may be what you did before--and how about doing something different this year?
Here are six ideas for gifting the miracle of unwrapped presents:
Rewind: Last year on December 6, 2016, Saint Nicholas Day, the “Miracle Mindset” issue of Aspire Magazine arrived in inboxes everywhere! Please enjoy these excerpts from my feature story, “Four Secret Gifts from the Three Wise Women for Birthing Miracles.”
Three of the four, secret unwrapped gifts include:
1. “From the Wise Maiden-Woman on the wings of Sparrow is the first secret gift: Open your heart to everything and everyone as being a miracle.
Rewind and consider once again experiencing your world with "childlike wonder.”
Rewind and consider once again experiencing your world with "childlike wonder.”
2. “From the Wise Mother-Woman on the wings of Eagle is the second secret gift: Create sacred space, a room at the inner inn.
You do this by writing an AAA List -- Always Advance Appreciation List.”
You do this by writing an AAA List -- Always Advance Appreciation List.”
3. "From the Wise Crone-Woman on the wings of Owl is the third secret gift: Be mindful of how your expectation for miracles now appears.
You expand on the two first secret gifts to expect and see only H.U.G.S. or Happy Unexpected God Surprises. Miracles that once seemed like only rare events, now appear as your daily norm.” Art: Shiloh Sophia
You expand on the two first secret gifts to expect and see only H.U.G.S. or Happy Unexpected God Surprises. Miracles that once seemed like only rare events, now appear as your daily norm.” Art: Shiloh Sophia
4. Write a love letter. My dear friend, Joy Siren, said, “If I WERE to write a (Christmas) letter it would most likely be all about the party I was writing to (as opposed to being about me). I'd let them know how much I appreciate them and why...and I'd ask about specific things in their life, how they're enjoying their journey, what's been making their toes wiggle lately...that sort of thing."
5. Call a prayer ministry to invite prayers for loved ones. This could be a call to a place like Silent Unity, a 125-year old prayer ministry. (I’ve called them for 34 years.) Call 1-800-NOW-PRAY, which is always free, 365/24/7. They'll send an email that includes your name and the person you both prayed for. Wouldn't this be a tender email to forward?
6. Radiate love during meditation or a walking meditation. Make a list of everyone you love or like, and also a list of people you don’t love or like. I use the Pink Heart Meditation: First, put your hand on your heart. Breathe. Then see a pink ribbon in figure 8's being woven around your heart, crossing to the center of the person in mind, circling their heart, and returning to your heart. Repeat 8x. Then, get ready for miracles!
Embrace change as something fresh and fun! As you welcome change, you are able to make the best choices at each moment.
Congratulations on your new role as a Changel who gifts unwrapped pressies!
Congratulations on your new role as a Changel who gifts unwrapped pressies!
P.S. Not a subscriber to Aspire Magazine? Claim your free subscription today for instant access to the issue, the sacred archives, AND over 40 transformational gifts. Click to peek into the "Miracle Mindset" issue! Once you’ve subscribed, you’ll receive an email with access to the full issue—including my feature story.
P.P.S. Last October, I recognized my heart’s yearning to return to Bali. So, I set the intention to design and deliver two women’s writing retreats. The first was is in my Florida backyard this April with the Treasure Island Writer's Retreat.
Now I'm delighted to invite you to save the dates of October 18-28, 2018 for the Bali Writing Retreat!
Copyright Lore Raymond, 2017. No portion of the blog post or information on this site may be reprinted, re-used or copied to another site without prior written permission from the author.
I love this inspiring blog Lore and your invitation to bring more love, light and kindness to the world this holiday season and beyond. I especially appreciate the suggestion to radiate love during mediation. I intend to so and embody being a changel and sharing the gift of the unwrapped presents this holiday season! Thank you so much as always for your wisdom and inspiration!
ReplyDeleteMy joyance to share, Kelley! I know you to already be a CHANGEL.
DeleteBEAUTIFUL Lore! I am someone in love with love and many of these suggestions are brand new to me and resonated deeply! Thank you so much for sharing! I will be using a few of these for SURE this holiday season and beyond! Sending much love, Jenny
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind comments, Jenny. They are gratefully recieved as an "unwrapped pressie." xo Love yah
DeleteSo beautiful! Thank you, I feel you just gave me an unwrapped present! I will strive to be a changel!
ReplyDeleteYou already are a CHANGEL, dear one! And it's been delightful to connect with you this year. And you're welcome...
DeleteBeautiful Lore. I love your analogies and examples used to be a "changel". Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words; they feel like an "unwrapped pressie," Laura. I know you are already a CHANGEL!
DeleteWow! I love this....I especially love the 'write a love letter' idea....how amazing would that be to write a letter of appreciation...going to ponder on this one for sure. Thank you for such amazing ideas!
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome, Erin. And I'm grateful for your kind words--they feel like an unwrapped pressie!
DeleteBeautiful post and so happy you continue to express your heart and soul so lovingly! We all benefit from your light Lore!
ReplyDeleteAwww,thank YOU for the unwrappaed pressie of your kind words, Debra.
DeleteWe can get so caught up in the pressie frenzy that we can forget that the most valuable presents of all are the one coming from our heart. Thank you for that sacred reminder.
ReplyDeleteYou're so correct, Rachel. Three is a frenetic rush TO BUY, BUY, BUY--and more mmre, moere! I write blogs liek this to REMIND MYSEFL to give fro the heart and notonly my waller. And youre' so welcome. Thanks, for your kind comments as always. xo
DeleteBeautiful piece Lore, and thank you for the ideas.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome...and thanks for the kind words, Leila.
DeleteWhat a way to get into the holiday spirit with new perspective Lore! I love this idea, thank you for introducing us to the new role of becoming a Changel. I particularly connect with the idea of sending a love letter to let people know how much they are appreciated and loved. Best pressie ever! xoxo
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Deb. Thanks for the kind words--sweet unwrapped pressies. And you already are a COURAGEOUS CHANGEL!
DeleteWow, what a beautiful idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barb!
DeleteGreat blog Lore! I love your idea of being a "Changel" and giving the gifts of unwrapped "pressies". At this point in my life when I have so much "stuff", as do so many of my friends and loved ones, I appreciate your suggestions and reminder of how special unwrapped "pressies" are. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pamela, for your kind words--all unwrapped pressies! Yeppers, I'm also there in the "So Much Stuff Club" which is what inspired this blog post.
DeleteHi Lore, This is a lovely post! I really enjoy the lightness of your writing, yet the gifts you mention are profound and powerful in spirit and soul. I see and appreciate your embodiment for divine feminine.
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you for your words, "I see and appreciate your embodiment for divine feminine." Unwrapped pressies for sure!
DeleteI always love your article's Lore! Love and light:)
ReplyDeleteAwww, how kind of you to say, Tarah. Thank you. xo
DeleteBeautiful post, love number 1,2 and 3! Thanking you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis decorative pail includes Skittles, Chex Mix, M&M cookies, crackers, nuts, chips, Cheezits, and-weather permitting-a variety of chocolate bars.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.luxtime.su/louis-vuitton-handbags/monogram-canvas
There's another type of giving--one that places the recipient before the giver. This, for me, is what true giving is all about. Thoughtful giving is an other-centered phenomenon. https://www.teddyway.fr
ReplyDeleteAfter the gift has been given, there will certainly be an uncomfortable feeling for as long as that charge remains on the credit card.teddyway
ReplyDelete