Make Today an OP day?
So, what is an “OP
Day”
An O.P. Day is a day that is dedicated to “Other People”.
It’s a day for finding ways to bless the people in your personal
circle. You can create an OP day for your business and other kinds of
connections, but it must be completely about giving and blessing, not getting
back. The aim is to show the people you focus your attention upon, that you
love them appreciate them and are so glad to have them in your life.
Blocks to OP actions
Ever find yourself feeling unable to give worthily?
I know, not just from my own experiences, but from others I speak
to as well, that often the reason we don’t ‘give’ as soon as we get the unction
to, is because of a sense of lack or inadequacy. It could be we feel we don’t
have the time NOW, or the money NOW, or even the right idea NOW.
Depending upon what it is you would like to do and where you
are when the idea strikes you, you may need to make a note for later. However,
the best advice, if at all possible, is “Do it and do it now”.
If we have a grander desire than we have resources to fill,
then that’s the time to remember that giving is about the heart. If it truly
comes from the heart, it will have power to impact the heart. You can trust
this truth.
“The gift is acceptable according to what one has, not
according to what one does not have”
2Cor 8
When two of my boys turned 18 and 21 ( two days apart), I
had so little materially to share with them. They still preferred money to do
with as they wish. The amount I could spare seemed so insignificant and so
impersonal that I had to create something
to make it memorable, give it substance beyond its $dollar value and delight
them as well.
So, I bought two tomato plant saplings and broke the small
amount of money into incremental notes as well as my jar of silver. I added the
money to the plants and covered the soil with silver and explained something of
a “money can grow on trees” principle if the “right seeds are sown”. I was
referring to thoughts and beliefs and corresponding inspired action.
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| Matt and his Money Tree |
This did the job pretty well. It took longer. It required
creativity and thought and a faith to believe that I could change what seemed
so lacking, into something worthwhile. If I stayed with the “state of lack”,
not only would they have been robbed the delight of something unique just for
them, but I would’ve lingered in the awful feeling that comes when you fall
short of your own personal parenting standards. Is there a worse feeling??
Resourceful Ideas-
If you’re short on money, use recycled ideas. Done with class,
gifts from recycled materials are well received-usually because they’re often
innovative. I make LOTS of little “books” out of everything and fill them with
news, images, sketches and colour. Some are tiny. Creativity and time can do
far more than $$.
Hand make almost anything! A simple pop up card. A daisy
chain with a poem of love and four leaf clovers. DO something with the person-sit on the top
of a grassy hill and make daisy
chains! I did this with one of my daughters ( at 21!) and she was so pleased
and thanked me for teaching her something so lovely to share with her children
when the time came. Document it, make a
keepsake from it. Make it a moment that lasts forever. You don’t have to be especially talented-just
sincere.
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| Daisy Chain Priness, Rache! |
Deliver your own singing telegram...or other kinds lol Make
a video. Treasure hunt gifts are fantastic. The more fun and challenging the
hunt, the less “impressive” the gift needs to be! This has such great
potential. I’ve done many.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as a little note in an unexpected
place. Or a run of them in all different
places and forms, digital, analogue, hard copy.
Truly, the ideas are endless and they can make the most
ordinary , mundane, previously worn out thing a joy inexpressible!! And no one
will forget! The more you do it, the better you get at coming up with stuff “in
the moment” and life takes on such a richness. This has to be one of the
greatest joys of relationship. Having something to share with someone.
Deal with the Backlog, dedicate a day-
So, today, I decided that I need to spend a day giving to
the people I love-just because. I want to do a bunch of things I’ve been
postponing, too preoccupied with my own stuff, and spend the whole time just
filling my available weekend time, giving.
Especially because I feel I’ve been so supported and
surrounded with love and blessing from so many quarters. To take this time and
just give back into other peoples’ lives has a sacred sense of washing and
grounding to it. It feels so good.
Also, there are times when a idea comes, the
time/money/talent/creativity are all there. At such times...do it now!
The Giving Equation-
So, I found, if you are lighter on the $$ side, you may have
more time for making or doing. If you’re lighter on the time side, you might have
more $$ for buying...BUT IT STILL NEEDS TO BE PERSONAL. But I have found that
creativity and a whole hearted decision can make up for almost anything!!
And don’t think, “Oh, I’m not creative!” You are!! But aside
from that...it doesn’t take trying to
be creative.
It takes loving someone, knowing them, knowing how you feel
about them, thinking about them and continuing to think and feel about it until
a spontaneous expression of affection and appreciation bursts forth! This is
actually what’s known as “Tehillah” and is the highest form of adoration we can
give GOD! It’s a gift of enabling Grace-meaning grace is the ability to give
This is what makes a gift not only acceptable, but worthy of
the highest regard and treasured.
And it will be.
Tags
Agapeism , love giving, grace, gift, share, tehillah, Lisa
Shah, daisy chain, money tree
