I’m soo excited to be here! My friend and fellow elf, Willow, told me about ABM when it first launched and I loved it. I have been quite busy with other pursuits and passions, so it fell off the radar until Willow mentioned it to me again last night.

She described the excitement and joy she felt as she imagined giving anonymous gifts, the way her attention, being focused on finding the recipients, seemed to create many positive exchanges and opportunities to celebrate, and finally how wonderful it felt to extend the gift.

Her enthusiasm was so contagious that I knew that I’d like to join the elves, but I just didn’t know how soon.

Then this morning I came to work and there was a Christmas card and a $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble in my locker. They were from a colleague and friend. But I felt sad to see them.

You see, my friend and I have been close for years but she became an administrator in my hospital 3 months ago and even though I have extended multiple invitations for us to get together, she always declines saying she is too busy.  So I have been struggling with my disappointment over what seems like the loss of our friendship.

I looked at the $10 gift card and imagined using it for myself and I felt bad. I decided not to think about it and put it back in my locker. A few hours later I thought, “I could give it away as an anonymous “elf” gift!” And I felt SO much better immediately! So I went to the ABM website and signed up for elf status  and now that I am an official elf, I feel so good!

So thanks so much for this wonderful community. I am so grateful that it inspired me to go from a bad feeling place to a good one – and I can’t wait to report on giving my first gift!