Sunday, August 31, 2008

GPP Street Team - Crusade #22

I've posted entries in the past for Michelle Ward's Green Pepper Press Street Team Crusades. Well, she has challenged people again to stretch their wings open their hearts with a "Pay it Forward Challenge". She challenged people to make a gratitute gesture (think of something you can do for someone that 'pays forward' a kindness done to you). Seeing Michelle's challenge prompted me to finish something I had decided to do almost a year ago.

Last fall I bought the book "Living the Creative Life" by Rice Freeman-Zachery and was immediately enamored with the insight that all the artists provided (not to mention all the great eye-candy to inspire one's own creativity). I hadn't even finished the first chapter when I found myself constantly thinking of two childhood friends who encouraged my creative dreams. Although I still am in touch with them, for the past several years we have succumbed to only an annual christmas card for communication. Even though I had no idea if either of these women have continued on their own creative journey, I felt it necessary to buy each of them a copy of the book. My initial intention was to mail the book as soon as I got it (I think it was in October of 2007) but life got in the way. Then I was going to try to get it out to them for Christmas but again life got in the way. I don't know how many times I looked at those books (and the padded envelopes that at some point I put with them) but they just never found their way into the mail system. When I read Michelle's challenge earlier this month, I knew the time had come. Within a week, I had notes written to my dear friends Mary and Cathy and had entrusted them to the US postal service. I only hope that they find the book as inspiring as I have.

4 comments:

michelle ward said...

diane - thanks for sharing your story with the street team. i think it's really interesting that you had the impulse to buy the book for these two friends a while ago yet you only sent them out this month. i have behaved in that same way, and wondered why i took so long to get on with it, only to find out later that my timing was perfect. so you never know! crossing fingers your timing was spot on. regardless - you did it! bravo.

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane,
I think there is a burden of your shoulders now you've posted it! I think we al recognize this and why we do it? Your friends will shurely appreciate the gesture you made and who knows what will come of it... Mmm. That makes me curious how it is going to workout, so will you keep us posted?
Hedwig

Kim Mailhot said...

Hi Diane,
This is a great example of paying it forward. I am sure your friends from the past will marvel at their "gifts" ! I know I would if it happened to me. I would love to know how it turns out if you post about it ! Lovely job with facing the challenge of the crusade !
Cheers,
Kim

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh how sweet, so glad you did this and told us about it because it is a great gesture of friendship! hurray for you and creativity!