Thoughts on Sharing, Caring, and Consideration

I wanted to share this image above. (It is by Christi in Cal) I chose it because it relates to something that has been playing around in my head. It isn't meant to provoke a response but rather to express how I have been feeling and thinking recently regarding certian matters. You see I am one of those people who puts a great deal of stock into follow through. If I say I am going to do something, like pick something up for someone, mail a letter, or send a package, I do. I also try to respond to someones kindness and generosity immediately. After all, if they are anything like me, they want to know you received their "package" , that it arrived intact and that you liked it. I can think of a few things that will really gnaw at my brain, and waiting for a response is one of them. Do I expect to hear that moment? No, but I would think maybe sometime that day, the next day, that week. For me knowing someone received something I sent, and hearing nothing from them becomes in my mind a negative response. (This is even more acute when I have put delivery confirmation on a package, and know it has been delivered) I tend to get a little bummed when after waiting several days, I still have heard nothing. I start to assume that perhaps they didn't like it, were disappointed, and do not know how to tell me. Maybe it was delivered to the wrong person, it's happened. Do I e-mail them? Do I dare ask "Did you get the package? What do you think? Was it okay?" How long do I wait to ask? I ponder these things, like why when I send an e-mail do I feel like am I begging for something, or pestering them. This is not my intent. In some cases this person has expressed a desire for the item in question, so what is it? For myself it is in part common courtesy, and in part a display by the receiver that they are as happy to receive this package, as you were to send it to them. I enjoy sharing. If someone has mentioned something to me that has touched me, or if I read something on a blog, where a person is having a particularly bad time, I often want to share something good. I love nice surprises, as well as surprising others. I do not know too many people who do not get a small thrill when someone sends an unexpected item to them in the mail. Perhaps you get that piece of art you entered to win in a giveaway, someone sends you an item you commented on, or something you mentioned you collect in a post. I am one of those people that want to share it with everyone. I think it is great to hear that people are still giving and caring, but most of all I want to contact that person and let them know "Yes, I got this and it arrived fine. Thank you" When I visit blogs where people display items they received and publicly thank the person, it makes it even harder. Not that I need to see it displayed like that, but when I do not hear anything, it can make it very disheartening for me. I participated in the recent giveaway. I have had to contact a couple of the people and ask "did you get it?" Eventually they responded, but it wasn't the spontaneous response I had hoped for, I guess because I felt I forced it by having to ask. So is it me? Do I expect too much? I still haven't heard from the another person, and I have made up my mind not to chase them down for a response. Those reading may say I am being foolish, what does it matter? True, when I chose to give something it was not for kudos's and compliments . I never regret the giving. So what does it all mean? Well for me it means I will have to think about why I am participating in some giveaways, but most of all that I have to realize that not everyone shares the same appreciation for these things, or shares my expectations. I will admit these experiences have done one thing, I have a real appreciation for those people who reach out, share, and are considerate. I want to say to those who have been kind to me, visited my blog and left your comments of support, Thank You!