A few weeks ago, an acquaintance contacted me because she had heard from a friend that I was an avid scrap booker. She was trying to put together a memory book for a gentleman who was leaving his job as a weekly synagogue ” tot Shabbat” leader for their community. She had hoped to put together a book to give him as a token of appreciation for all that he had done for their community over the past several years.
I agreed to help out even though I had never attended that service with my own family and had never even met the leader. After a few mishaps in scheduling, this acquaintance and I were finally able to arrange a time to put the book together. With a couple of effortless suggestions, a few hours of our quick work and all my scrapbooking supplies we put together an attractive and befitting memory book for this gentleman. I loved being able to contribute my expertise and was delighted with the results of our classic and completed project. The gratitude I received for this action belied its simplicity.
What I realized from this experience is that each of us, has our gifts to share with others. I happen to love scrapbooking and was very willing to give my advice and volunteer a relatively small amount of my time to help this community with a memory book for their esteemed teacher. What skills or talents do you have that would be beneficial to someone else? Do other people know that you are able and willing to offer these skills and your expertise from time to time when needed? If not perhaps you need to let friends know. Things that come very easily to one person can be quite difficult for someone else.
Not quite sure what your strengths or gifts are? Maybe you are great at gardening, auto mechanics, computer work, cooking, decorating, shopping for clothing or photography. The list is endless. Think about what you love to do and what comes naturally to you and go out and share those gifts from time to time with others just because you can. You will find that your innate talents are appreciated and both the giver (you) and the recipient will enjoy this beneficial experience.
1,000 Mitzvahs 
I was at the Beaverton post office the other day, stuffing a photo invitation, that I had created with a software program, into my son’s graduation announcment, when a woman asked me where I had purchased that cute invitation. I proceeded to explain to her that I was a Creative Memories consultant and had created the invitation myself. She asked me what I would charge to make one for her and I said, if all she needed was one invitation that I would be happy to do it for free and teach her how she could do it too. She was so taken a back that I would take the time to do that. We exchanged information and I followed up with an email when I got home. I really hope she contacts me so I can follow through with this.
Dear Linda,
I read this entry on your blog and definitely could relate. I’m a scrapbooker, not avid, but like it. I also play the flute and piccolo and regularly get called upon to play for various temple things, including this absolutely silly, but fun parade last Sunday for our 50th anniversary celebration. It was a volunteer gig, but so much fun it didn’t feel like volunteering. The smiles on kids’ faces was a treat.
And tomorrow, I’m looking forward to taking part in our temple-wide mitzvah day – again with my flute in hand. The temple Klezmer band asked if I would play with them at an assisted living home. I’m just sorry it has taken me this long to take my music to an assisted living or nursing home. I used to take my flute to my late grandmother’s nursing home and play it just for her. The music, of course, helped anyone else within earshot. I always have planned to return there – though my grandmother died six years ago – to see if the nursing home would like me to play some music there for everyone. Music, I know, is a powerful healing. And, it also, I know, can be a wonderful mitzvah.