chandni’s posterous

Dear friends,

This has been on my mind for a while. And I'm delighted to share it with you.

Do make time to read this, and let me know what you think at whatsyourgiftproject@gmail.com

Love

Chintan

 

 

 

The What's Your Gift? Project is based on a deep conviction that each one of us has gifts to offer, and that it is the sharing of these gifts in a spirit of service that can well become an organising principle for the way we live. This project is a humble effort to look for, document and share the stories of those beautiful people who've recognised their gifts and are using them generously for the benefit of others.

 

The need for such stories is strongly felt at a time when people are beginning to lose their trust in being compassionate, reaching out, and helping others. They seek to be reassured that that money isn't such a reliable measure of happiness; that it is possible to do something just for the love of it; and that one can find a great sense of delight in knowing that one has been useful.

 

Here are some stories I have come across recently:

 

* A musician who takes people on trips to Ladakh and Kashmir -- trips that are less touristy, and more of an exploration into how our lifestyle choices impact the earth in hazardous ways, because of our callous preference for convenience and comfort over the health of the universe that sustains us in the first place

 

* A social psychologist who devotes much of her time to connecting people that might be able to benefit, support and learn from each other -- a person who freely shares her contacts, resources, time, and energy with many who speak of her with grateful hearts

 

* A filmmaker couple that hosts an open bookshelf, at home, as well as in their office -- anyone is welcome to come by and look at the books and pick whatever they like; the only rule being that the book shouldn't come back, it has to be passed on to someone else who again will pass it on.

 

* A computer programmer who has built up a collection of poetry from spiritual traditions across the world -- poetry that he considers a spontaneous, beautiful gift in his life, and is happy to share with readers in faraway places through the daily mails he sends out

 

* A college student who looks out for people with bare feet as he walks around his city, and buys footwear for those who have none

 

 

I invite you to share stories of people you've come across, and urge you to look around for more. The idea is to compile these stories in the form of an e-book that would be freely shared as a gift.

 

If you have a story, but do not have the time to write it, one can find volunteers to take care of that.

 

If you are good at writing, but do not have a story in mind, you can volunteer to help with interviewing, writing, editing and proofreading.

 

If you are into graphic design, you can help with layouts and illustrations.

 

If you are a photographer, you can help with pictures.

 

There might be several other ways in which you can share your gifts to help this project.

 

So do get in touch: whatsyourgiftproject@gmail.com

 

And yes, please circulate this mail among your friends.

 

 

PS: Many thanks to my friend Vinod, whose work and words inspired this project!