The Lady and the Scarf

When do you stop caring enough to stop giving?

For one woman, the answer is never.  And I think that’s a pretty good answer.

After all, giving is simply the end result of love.

A dear friend of mine has been using her talent in what some may consider a dying art to express her love and to help others.

Leena is 96 years old and knits and crochets blankets, hats and scarves.  She shares these wonderful gifts with people she loves and cares about.  My wife and I are the proud recipients of a few pieces of her loving handy work.

Leena was even kind enough to knit a tiny hat and blanket for my great niece who will be born in just a few weeks.  Leena has never met my nephew and his wife, nor was she asked to make these items for them.  She did it because her heart told her to.

Leena  is also an inspiration because she makes these hats, scarves and blankets for total strangers too.

Every day, she works on another hat, blanket or scarf that will bring warmth and comfort to someone.  Once completed, her son delivers them to a homeless person! Yes, she continues to knit for people she doesn’t know, but who are in need of the product of her talent, love and kindness.  These handcrafts not only provide physical warmth, but emotional warmth as well.   

Naturally she is not a high output machine that can churn out thousands or even hundreds of items a day.  However, small the quantities may be, they will certainly make a difference in the lives of those that receive them.

When should we stop giving?  According to Leena’s example…never.

Doesn’t this make you stop, reflect and ask… if Leena can do it then why can’t I?

If Leena has something to contribute then what do I have to contribute?

If Leena is doing this at 96 years of age then what’s holding me back at my age?

It certainly causes me to check myself, take a second look and ask…

…what else can I do?  Who else can I provide shelter, warmth, food, money, or…to? Who else can I spread love to?

Leena humbles me.

Leena makes me think.

Leena makes me proud.

Leena is inspiring!

The Master Craftswoman herself...Leena!

It seems that if one has a desire…a passion…is inspired and their heart is big enough…

They can turn their time, talents and treasures into something that will benefit everyone—regardless of their age.

I think there will always be people who need, from time to time, help from others.

I hope there will be an endless supply of Leenas in the world who will rise to the occasion.  Thank God for Leena and others like her.

If Leena’s story inspired you, I’d love to hear from you.  Or if you know someone who has a unique way of giving, please share it with me.  Just go to my givetolivebook.com website and send me an e-mail.

I look forward to hearing from you.

The Four Way Test

It’s nice to have a reminder of who we are, how we should conduct
ourselves in a civilized society or of what we believe in.

Some of the items may be religious in nature and others not.

They could be cards we keep in our wallets, rings or other pieces
of jewelry that symbolize truths we hold dear.

Of course, if love, spirituality, morals, ethics, integrity, or
compassion aren’t in our hearts, no symbol will be the magic
talisman that transfigures us into a better human being.

A gangster attending church simply going through the motions
doesn’t redeem himself or wash away his criminal behavior.

Rotarians have something we hold dear called the four way test of
the things we think, say or do.

I carry one in the form of a token in my pocket. And I have
another I keep on my desk. The obverse contains three
simple words:

SERVICE… ABOVE… SELF…

The reverse holds the words of the four way test of the things we
think, say, or do.

1) Is it the truth?
2) Is it fair to all concerned?
3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

I find this four way test to be a great reminder of how to conduct
ourselves throughout our daily lives…

…a standard by which to operate that transcends any potential
social, ethnic, or religious barrier.

I hope you benefit by those words and the obvious meaning behind
them as much as I do.

When I wrote Give to Live; The Real Secret to Manifesting Life’s
Rewards with Joe Vitale, it was with the intent of promoting the
idea of service above self and the magnificent rewards that we
automatically attract in doing so.

One way for me to serve others is by making this book available as
a free digital book. It can be read or downloaded free at
www.givetolivebook.com

While on a very special trip to Peru, we decided to take the giving
and serving message to a new level giving more people the ability
to open their subconscious minds to giving. We created the Give to
Live Subliminal Manifestation DVD…you can check it out at
www.givetolivedvd.com

I wrote several prayers and an affirmation of service that I’ve
given away to people around the world for many years. The loving
response has always humbled me. Inspired by this, I was guided to
convert the prayers into songs. You can read the prayers and hear
a sampling of the music in a free special report I wrote where I
share ideas on how to get closer to God. It’s all on the website
at www.attractmoregod.com

As always, my products partially fund our medical missions, the
Nahuathl Indigenous stove project and more.
I think you’ll agree they meet the four way test.

Even if you are not a Rotarian, I know you’ll find a use for the
four way test in your life. Likely you’re already intuitively
using it.

Please continue to be the change in you wish to see in the
world…share this with others!

Blessings,
Dr. Rick Barrett

P.S. Want to become a Rotarian? Check out www.rotary.org or contact me personally about the Rotary I belong to