"What I notice is that the people who are taking part in this, what is common amongst us all, is that we all count our blessings. We practice gratitude. We feel like our lives are full no matter what we have." -Cami Walker, Founder, 29 Day Giving Challenge

I'm going to be honest with you. I'm a little burned out on do-goodness. August 19th is not only my 39th birthday, but also the 3rd birthday of when I started blogging about social change and nonprofit-y things, and I've hit a wall.  All I want to do is read cookbooks, do yoga, and spend time with my husband.

On Saturday I completed the 29-Day Giving Challenge that I posted about last month. The process felt like peeling an onion. First I gave away money, then stuff, then advice, and then my giving became more intangible. I came to realize that, at least for me, the most difficult thing to give away sometimes is compassion for individuals I encounter in every day life.

On March 19th, 2008, after spending 8 days in the hospital related to her multiple sclerosis, Cami Walker decided to give away one thing each day for 29 days:

Why is it that we seem to be more generous, more compassionate over the holidays? Do I just notice it more, or are we more likely to extend a hand now than at other times in the calendar? There seems to be almost a longing to help, to see to it that giving is done in the best of ways.

Family Fun Magazine, a Disney publication, has chosen KaritoKids (dolls) by KidsGive as its #1 Toy of 2007. Celebrity Baby Blogs reviewed KaritoKids calling them "gorgeous dolls with a social conscience." Over at Mom's Favorite Stuff the reviewer touts KaritoKids as dolls "your child can love and learn from." On the KidsGive website it says the company’s purpose through KatritoKids is to "raise global awareness among our youth, teaching them about children around the world and exposing them to the importance of social responsibility and charitable giving." (info from KaritoKids )