Giveaway #1: My book list is now a mile long. I started reading The Happiness Project -- and I'm taking notes (as Chel suggested she wished she'd done). Lots of writing in the margins! The winner of the bookplate stamp is Jen:
A couple fun non-fiction books I've read recently: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, Lift by Kelly Corrigan, 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life by Cami Walker and The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha.
Giveaway #2: The winner of the quote is Catherine S:
You are responsible for your own happiness.
and
A smile is the best free gift you can give of yourself to someone.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Giveaway #3: The winner of the notecards is Mer Manson:
I am a therapist—I most often work with domestic violence and sexual assault clients. People think it might be depressing—but it is just the opposite. Inspiring. I work with brave, strong and determined women who are looking to improve their lives. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.
(Not long after reading her comment, my doorbell rang and it was a mother & son collecting donations for a domestic violence center walk-a-thon. I couldn't get to my wallet fast enough.)
Giveaway #4: I felt so optimistic when reading these comments -- if just the people reading my blog do so much, there must be a lot of giving in the world! And lots of food for thought...giving big/giving little, giving locally/giving globally, giving time/giving money. The winner of the address stamp is Rachael:
Heifer International. I really admire what they're doing.
And while this isn't an organized charity, I've found lately that I feel a deep satisfaction from donating my own time. It's much easier for me to write a check, but I feel like I'm giving more when I spend two hours of my precious "alone time" doing something that's bigger than myself. And not on a huge scale--lately I've just been calling friends to see what I can help them with--we all have those projects that we'd love to get to if we just had an extra pair of hands!!--so that's what I've been doing lately.
Giveaway #5: The winner is Molly:
i met a woman last year who is the only person i've ever met that made me realize my need for a mentor. she's old enough to be my mother, and she's raising her grand-daughter in a way i wish i had been wise enough to raise my kids from the beginning. whole foods, no media, cello lessons, traveling. i have so much to learn from her, and i so enjoy our conversations. she inspires me to be a better person, all around.
Thank you to everyone who entered. I will have another giveaway coming up at the end of June to celebrate my lettergirl anniversary. In the meantime: reminiscing on my trip to Alabama, my creative manifesto, and some special guest posts.
Winners, please email me by Monday, May 31st, to claim your prize: gina {at} sekelsky {dot} com. Be sure to send your mailing address & any other details I need.
Congrats to everyone! I have to admit, your giveaway was one of my favorites to play along with- I got so many good ideas and suggestions :)
Posted by: chel | May 25, 2010 at 10:06 AM