The Gift of Adventure
It's a given that people usually love receiving gifts. I am one of them. My favourites are those gifts that keep on giving. It could be the gift of an experience that gives joy when opened and then creates memories, or an item that can be enjoyed more than once. Often, gifts can be passed on offering value to each new owner like a good book with well worn pages.
The Adventure Voucher: A Gift That Keeps on Giving
I love giving gifts as much as they enjoy receiving them and in particular I enjoy surprising people with treats and with experiences. Let me tell you about the gift I gave that kept on giving; the adventure voucher.
The adventure voucher was a gift that I gave last Christmas. Struggling with inspiration and restricted purse strings, I was looking to give a meaningful and inexpensive present, and I stumbled upon this idea online.
I simply created a certificate offering a whole year of adventure. Each month, I delivered an envelope describing the escapade that would unfold next. The event itself would involve no effort on the part of the recipient.
This allowed me to create different sorts of adventures from a daring escapade to a simple micro adventure bringing joy to an ordinary day. A train trip to a new location, a road trip, trying something new, a month dedicated to sleeping under the stars, a beach fire, a day of fishing in the North Sea and a bike trip to Holland were just some of the ideas that became a reality.
The added bonus was that I got to participate in these adventures too. A great example of a win-win. I have taken this idea on board as a way of life and it has created a sustainable way to keep micro-adventuring alive in my busy life.
Altruistic Gifts: Spreading Kindness
Stories of more altruistic gifts are widely demonstrated. The gift left on the doorstep of a friend or neighbour in need of a pick me up is a lovely example. This would extent a gesture of friendship as well as a token parcel.
The 'pay it forward' gift is another example. Others include strangers paying for an item, and in return asking that the recipient pay it forward to another unsuspecting stranger.
With gifts like this in mind, imagine the small ripple effect that you could create by giving a gift - a moment of kindness that could build into a wave or a tsunami of good will and kindness. Call it delusional optimism... but I believe that we can all make a difference in one way or another!
So, this brings me back to you. What sort of gifts to you enjoy giving and receiving? Remember that gifts can be creative, adventurous and fun from extravagant presents or homemade gifts wrapped in tissue.
What might be the benefits to you of presenting someone with an adventurous gift, an experience that could be shared together? Go forth giving generously knowing you might give and receive more than you realise.
A final word on gifts; if you enjoy giving gifts then remember that learning to receive gifts gracefully is as important, knowing that it means that you are loved and appreciated.
#100% Pure Polly – Living Life’s Adventure…
I plan to dedicate my next blog to living your legacy ~ reconnecting you with your purpose and your mission!
In the meantime I wish you all a happy and energetic week. Want to know more about how to live your life's adventure?
