Blessed Bucks

Sky,

A friend sent me the message below.  Great idea!

Karen

Blessed Bucks

 

Take one or more dollar bills and write,
"May you be blessed with health, wealth & love"
on each. Then take the Blessed Bucks out into
the world and hide them in places where people will find them.
NEVER just drop one on the ground as it might look like merely an accident.

Great places to hide them:
Open a newspaper kiosk and slip one inside a newspaper,
especially the jobs section.
Carry a glue stick with you and go inside a grocery store.
Glue a Blessed Buck on the back of a food item, milk, or a box of diapers.

Lynn and I challenged each other on the spot to distribute one Blessed Buck per day during the 40 days of Lent. I have been recording where I have placed them just as a reminder of my progress, and I am trying to pick varied spots to ensure that they will be found by the widest range of people. I will also be making donations to my church's rice bowl collection, but it feels good to know that someone, somewhere will pick up that package of diapers or reach for that packet of sugar on the table at Applebee's or take home a plant to brighten someone's day and there will be an added bonus, a Blessed Buck wishing health, wealth and love on the recipient.

 

 

--
Sky Kershner, 304-346-9689 x13
Kanawha Pastoral Counseling
www.kpcc.com

Violinist

 

A Violinist in the Metro A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again Clearly he was late for work.  The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on. In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100. This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people.

Day 12 - my son's tears

Today my son, David, 7, was telling me about how school was for him today. He described that while he was singing in music class, he started to cry, because the song was so beautiful and sad. The song? Take Me Home, Country Roads (he was referring to the line in the bridge:

"I hear her voice in the morning as she calls me,
the radio reminds me of my home far away.
And driving down the road I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday."

I guess I could tithe to John Denver (and probably will before the month is over). But in this case, my $10 for today goes to David's music teacher, Ron Sowell. Thanks Ron!

(Today I've decided to change the title of the Blog from "Preparing for Prosperity" to "Living in Prosperity." I feel truly blessed!)

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Today's Daily Word - Monday, January 12, 2009

Making a Difference

I am contributing to a better day and a brighter world for all.

I appreciate and give thanks for the many people who have touched my life. They have made a difference in the direction my path has taken. Through their words and actions, friends, teachers, family members, even strangers have enriched my life and provided me with models to emulate.

The gift of such exemplary people has blessed me and encouraged me to be mindful of the ways I impact the lives of those around me. How I speak and behave in the presence of both children and adults can be a positive influence. I contribute to a better day and a brighter world for all.

My prayer-filled thoughts, the words I speak, and the gifts of kindness I give are small steps. Combined with those of others, they contribute to an expanding consciousness of divine possibilities for our world.

Tears of Laughter

During a discussion group after church today I was brought to tears by a funny story one of the group members told. I immediately got out my wallet and gave her a ten dollar bill. Everyone there knew about my project for the month, since I had talked about it during the service. I think we all enjoyed the moment.

What Comes Around

After hearing the story of my project today, a friend took my hand and told me how much my story had moved her. When she let go, I discovered a ten dollar bill in my hand.

Kids Allowance

A new month, a new practice

This dollar a day exercise was very helpful in clarifying the daily circulation of giving and receiving. I am now practicing tithing / giving when I am moved to tears. These moments come several times a month, and I am most grateful for them, since these are among the moments when I feel most alive.

I like this kind of on-the-spot tithing more than the more arbitrary exercise of last month, since it is much more connected to the emotions of living.

How much to give? I am operating on a $10 a day budget (a salary of $40,000 a year comes, at 10%, to $11 a day). On days when I do not have a place or person to give, I plan to add that to the next day's gift.

This is on top of my regular tithes to our family's several congregational homes.