Are You A Giver or a Taker?

The last year has given me too much

time to think.

This last year has given me the desire to

prioritize things in my life.

This last year has prompted me to

get rid of the bad

and hang on to the good.

So my question for you is...

Are you a giver...

or a taker?

There aren't many benefits of growing older. However, I have discovered that there are few perks of age. The thing I enjoy the most about growing older is the sudden ability to say what I feel without too much fear of repercussion. I like being out spoken. Age also offers us the wisdom of recognizing the important things in life and making time for those things. Prioritizing the important things in life forces us to make decisions on what we want to keep and what we want to throw away so that the moments of our lives become quality moments.

I have decided I don't have time in my life for takers.

No, I don't mean I don't care about people who need help. One of the biggest steps in building a life of quality is helping others. I'm talking about the people in my life who take, take, take, but never give back. You know who I'm talking about. You know you have those kind of people in your life too!

You recognize a taker, don't you? Or are you at that stage of life that you can't differentiate between real friends and those who are your friend when THEY need you to be their friend? You know...the one who takes your ideas and then takes the credit or the profit for it? Or the one who needs you to listen, but is always too busy to reciprocate? Or the one who learns from you and then steps on you on the way up the ladder? You know the kind of person I am talking about because they are all around you...in your address book, in your work place, in your social network and maybe even in your family.

Well, I don't have time for takers. Life is too short. Real friends deserve my attention. My life needs to be a life of quality.

So, it is time for me to say thank you to those of you who are the givers!

When the going got tough in my life this last year, the givers emerged!

I have learned that some of the best givers in the world are the friends made in the blogging world! Many of you I have never met in person and will probably never get the opportunity to meet face to face, but you were there every day...checking on us, praying and leaving words of encouragement! My blogging friends were never too busy to let a day go without giving to us! Thank you for being the BEST GIVERS! I know a giver when I see one and, believe me, you are appreciated!

I wish I could thank each of you individually, but I would only leave someone out and I never want to hurt anyone's feelings. Well, that's not true...but I don't want to hurt any of your feelings! :) Anyway, you know who you are!

I want to say a special thank you to three friends who were outstanding givers:

Thank you to MARY who suddenly emerged out of my past, reestablished a wonderful friendship, continues to motivate me on my new paths and supports me through life's tough times.

Thank you to SUE who texts, emails, listens and provides hope and friendship 24 hours a day/365 days a year. I don't know what I would do without you!

Thank you KAREN for holding my hand at the hospital every time I needed you. I hope you find true happiness in your new life.

So having said all that, I need to concentrate on making myself a better giver. How? By always being there for you!

I have learned recently that several of the bloggers I correspond with are undergoing major medical treatments. I need to learn from you wonderful friends and always be there with my prayers and support! I need to promote the events on your blog or giveways or online stores or sales or benefits.

I think blogging should be a full time support system...built for givers...by givers!

So I am gonna start now. Have you ever heard of Spirit Jump? It is a wonderful organization which lends support to cancer victims. How can you help? All they ask for you to do is drop a card to someone who needs a spirit lifted! How easy is that for a blogosphere full of givers?

Now, let me ask you one more time...what are you...a giver or a taker?