Today with pleasure I introduce Linda Cohen author
of 1,000 Mitzvahs, an excerpt from her book!
1,000
Mitzvahs
MITZVAH 1
Giving a Book to A Friend
A friend of mine was leaving for a trip and
I thought she might enjoy a
book for the vacation. I gifted her with my
copy of a book I had recently
read and loved.
Throughout the course of the mitzvah project,
people often asked
me what my first mitzvah was. They wanted
to know if I had initially set
out to do big mitzvahs and then realized it
would be too hard and therefore
started to tone it down. The truth is that
from the outset I knew that
my mitzvahs would be small acts of
kindness. That was my intention
from the beginning. The idea of tracking
them gave me a chance to
write and find solace and comfort after
grief.
Indeed, giving, or even regifting, is a
small gesture. But it’s certainly
a donation, and it’s something that can
help you share ideas and
resources with people you know and love.
Alternately, you can consider
donating your used books to libraries,
which can always make use of
good books to build their collections.
Giving away a copy of a book
you’ve read, or a CD that you’ve enjoyed,
can mean opening you up to
a conversation you might not have otherwise
had with a friend or loved
one. This was, in fact, my first mitzvah,
and my friend was touched by
my small gesture.
♥ Gift a book to a friend.
WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS
to the following over the top generous GIFTERS
A huge thanks to the following sponsors for offering up some very heartfelt presents for the month of December... Besides the featured Authors book each day, we will have weekly PRESENTS of the following..
From top to bottom.....Pellon is gifting 2 pillows, 1 batting for a throw, some pillow stuffing, and some wonder under to 2 winners who stick with Pellon!
Aurifil is gifting 4 boxes of large threads in a variety of colours to 4 lovers of threads....
Bag Lady is gifting 5 assorted frames for coin purses to 1 coin purse lover!
Reliable Corporation ( you can see close up here) is gifting 2 Sensor Irons to 2 quilters who love to iron.
Purdy's Chocolate is gifting 4 large boxes of chocolates...( I did not even peak under the wrapper, so I am not sure what is there ) to 4 lucky chocolate lovers.
Andover Fabrics is gifting 4 beautiful assorted fat quarter bundles to 4 fabric lovers...
And Seal Press will be gifting the book that is featured each day!
Our whole month of December we cheerleaders will be celebrating all of YOU, who have been
with us for years. To our new followers, we will welcome you with all the warmth we can muster....
WE hope you will be visiting us and leaving lovely comments for all of our guests who have
made this month possible.... Take this time to thank those around you for all of our blessings...
It will be a very special month....
All those who follow will be eligible for all of our gifts.....and if we hit 5,000 followers, I have a very special gift for YOU....oh yes...wink...
Whatever your wishes are this season, these are our wishes for you...!
With warmest blessings from our cheerleading TEAM...
Jane, Carol, Katherine, Marlene, Wendy, Corrie, Linda, Cherry,
Pauline, Christine....These are our cheerleaders...
and a new one who will be joining the team in 2013 Mary!
Congrats Jules you a copy of Fridays book,
31 dates in 31 days....
And MRS THOR won a box of PURDYS CHOCOLATES....
Congrats...this may sweeten your week....
Sounds like a great read. And I bet focusing on giving and the rewards and conversations that ensued probably did a lot to help the author through her grief.
ReplyDeleteI had to research what a Mitzvah was to fully understand and appreciate the book.
ReplyDeleteI think this would be an interesting book to read. WOW! You're nearly at 5000 followers. That's an amazing amount!
ReplyDeleteI agree small random acts of kindness are a big help when dealing with grief. Gifting items that were my husbands would help keep his memory alive and give enjoyment to those who received them.. I also gift to friends and sometimes to a person who is a complete stranger. Sounds like a wonderful book.
ReplyDeletejbechosend at sbcglobal dot net
this books sounds very interesting,boy that is a lot of followers.xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Would love to read the book for other inspirations. Sounds like 2013 may be my year of random acts of kindness or paying it forward :)
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring book. I had giving my favorite book to my best friend when she is leaving for a further study at overseas before. I think this is the best way to show the value of our friendship.
ReplyDeleteI always gift or donate books, but I never thought of it as a Mitzvah. What a nice revelation. I'd love to read her book. swalker287 (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book of inspiration. I'm a believer that it doesn't take money to make a difference, it takes heartfelt thoughts and actions, which are free!
ReplyDeleteWow, the timing on this post is amazing, what with the events in Newtown and the need for some avenue to channel grieving that is taking place across the country.
ReplyDeleteIt always makes the heart feel good to do a kindness for someone. Reading about some gives me more ideas for things I can do. It is a joy to see someone happy because of you. Thanks for the great book review.
ReplyDeleteNot sure there could be a more timely book in light of the tragedy in CT. Love the title.
ReplyDeleteI know that's one reason why I sew, quilt and knit is to give what I make to someone else. I try and make the gift just for that person if I know them well enough, but I have several little things I make too for those who I may not know as well.
ReplyDeleteThen of course I have given lots of quilts I made to charities over the years too. Even though I will never know who received those quilts, it feels good knowing someone has received a "quilted hug".
I think quilters already practice this, but what a great read this will be, especially appropriate for the season.
ReplyDeleteLinda Cohen sounds like a fun person to meet and have lunch with. The book is now on my reading list for 2013.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very good book. As quilters, we are always thinking of others as we make quilts for giving. Thanks for the great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a perfect gift for friends who are trying to do "small acts of kindness" through the year. Most of us would like to be more giving. This book just might make it easier to think of things we can actually do!
ReplyDeleteRosemary B here:
ReplyDeleteNice book. great ideas to focus on others when grief is such a personal thing. Reaching out by helping others or giving to others is a good way to process that. You learn that you are not alone.
Thanks for the review, and congrats to the winners of the book and chocolates.
Happy Monday
What a great book for the holiday season. Vivian
ReplyDeleteIt is better to give than receive....that little saying says a lot! When we give...even small acts of kindness...we receive so much more. Good to remember that the small stuff counts too!
ReplyDeleteI would really like to read this book! I find such a blessing in doing small favors for others. Sew We Quilt followers, don't forget the many shut-ins this Christmas. Many have few visitors to help them celebrate the season.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true that a small act of kindness can have a significant impact on both the giver and receiver.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this book :)
Very intriguing and sounds like an interesting read. Very generous sponsors. I will be re-gifting the book I won to the Cancer Center.
ReplyDeleteSince I broke my left arm I will not be able to daily comment,Samm. judy c
Too often we are surrounded by news of the awful things people do to each other. To give or to receive a small act of kindness helps to reaffirm the goodness of mankind. Sounds like a wonderful positive read. More than just entertainment, a book for the soul.
ReplyDeleteI have always believed that the greatest act of kindness is the small acts. Everyday I try to be kind to every person I come in contact with. Continuing that I want to thank Mdm Samm for her love and care of us all. She encourages all her readers, followers, and newly inspired cheerleaders to spread the love of quilting. Thank you Mdm Samm!!!!
ReplyDeleteMitzvah is a watchword and guide for our family. For us it's a not just at a certain time of year, but part of our daily life. While it is our religious/moral/karmic duty to help others, we also receive an incredible amount of enjoyment from giving -- time, help, tools, etc.
ReplyDeleteMitzvah makes the world go 'round!
I love the idea of small mitzvahs. Those are probably pretty easy to accomplish whereas a large mitzvah might take a lot of effort. Great suggestion.
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea...I try to pay it forward as often as I can, and it truly can begin to heal one's heart. Thanks for letting us know about this book!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant blog book idea. I love reading these reviews from smart thinking women authors with lots to say!
ReplyDeleteThis is my kind of book. I will be sure to read it and pass it on. When I am able to do a small act of kindness it enriches me beyond measure!
ReplyDeleteThe little things do really matter!
ReplyDeleteSounds like 'pay it forward'.,something I try to do often. I just dropped off a dozen books I've read to the local cancer hospital library. I also like to give away extra craft coupons when I'm shopping, or pay the toll booth collector for the car behind me. Little acts of kindness.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading this book!
I truly love making small gifts and surprising someone with a Wow!! I now think its the woman in me, not just a mom, wife, or gandma..
ReplyDeleteone never knows how what seems to you to be a small gesture of kindness can effect that person's whole day or week.
ReplyDeleteI love this kind of book ... it's great to read and even better to give. Thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteMy, my, I am an avid reader and often gift my books to others. I am also a strong believer is practicing random acts of kindness. You never know the impact of a small gift until you see the receiver's face!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
My mother and brother are wonderful examples of people who do things for others - small gestures that are kind and remembered.
ReplyDeleteRandom acts of kindness, no matter how small, usually puts smiles on the peoples faces who receive them. I occasionally pay it forward and donate items for a good cause. This is something I need to do more of. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby always says it is the smaller things that matter the most. You never know how you will alter someones day just by being kind. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIn my eyes, sometimes even the smallest gift of a smile of kindness can ease a person's day. This book sounds like an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteanother interesting read I am sure . And I agree that small act of kindness touch lives.... sometimes I just give a hug when I think one is needed and usually a few days later I am told how much that ment at the time...
ReplyDeletein stitches
It is the small thoughtful things that matter too. I like the regifting thought as just sharing something you really enjoyed, rather than as a 'gift'.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely believe that it's the small things that really do make a difference - especially the small kindnesses.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteSmall acts of kindness make the giver and the receiver feel good about themselves. It could be words of encouragement, a hug, a gift, a regift, a pat on the back for doing your best or lending a helping hand to someone who is struggling. What a wonderful world this would be if we all practiced small acts of kindness. This sounds like a great read...Thanks for sharing Linda!
ReplyDeleteIt is the small kindnesses that can make someone's day. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteSometimes what you think is a just a small kindness is actually a very big kindness to the receiver. This book sounds like a great read....thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I long ago found that when I find little ways to serve others, even my most difficult days become much easier.
ReplyDeleteI believe not all acts of kindness need to be huge. A smile and eye contact to a stranger on the street as you walk by might help to change someone's mood, and it doesn't cost you anything! We all need to feel like we're seen, like we matter. Sounds like an amazing book!
ReplyDeleteThank you and All the Sponsors for the awesome giveaways and the chances to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
I think books as gifts are the greatest. and you can always find one to fit any occasion!
ReplyDeleteIts the small unexpected gesture that often means the most.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late comment - For some reason, your blog didn't show up in my google feed and I missed seeing this the day it was posted. What a lovely idea for a book, and for a life. We need more people looking beyond their own needs and wants and embracing the idea of mitzvahs again.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a sweet book, I didn't know what mitzvah meant! My friend gifted me with a book Sunday, too!
ReplyDeleteWonderful book, I have been sharing all my books after I read them. Some books I keep, inspirational books are a great motivator. You have generous sponsors.
ReplyDeleteI like to try new authors and want to thank you for introducing these books by women.