There is no Shame in Regifting

If you give me a gift that I can't use or don't want or need, I'm giving it to someone else.

Unapologetically.

To me, regifting something just means I didn't have to go out and buy a gift, so that becomes a gift in itself. 

I have regifted lots of things to my guests over the years. We don't drink wine. I have received more bottles of wine than I can remember, as gifts. Every one of those bottles was regifted to a guest or a friend. It went to someone who enjoyed it, and it saved me the time, effort and expense of having to buy something. That is a gift! Besides, what am I going to do with it? 

I don't regift everything. Handmade items always remain with me because of the time, talent and energy put into them. On the flip side, I give lots of gifts. I love giving gifts. If people regift them, I'm fine with that. 

It's also better for your wallet and the environment. Less waste, less stuff. 

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate gifts very much. If I'm given a gift, it's rarely the "thing" given that touches my heart. It might sound corny, I'm sure it does, but if someone thinks enough of me to give me anything at all, that's enough for me. 

It's not about the things given, it's about the love the things are given with. So, give with love and regift with love because either way, it just keeps the love flowing.

There is no shame in that. 

More at hiddencottageatlinncroft.com

I Don't Know if I Can Do This

We are heading out for another one of our 2023 vacation adventures and this one involves a green sand beach. There are only four green sand beaches in the world. We will be a 2.5-mile hike away from one of them on this trip.

This may not sound huge to you, but it's pretty huge for me. My weight is still an issue for me, even after significant loss. (140+) I haven't been a walker. I haven't been in very good shape the past several years and this five-mile hike along the shoreline sounds like a lot for me. Like a LOT. 

I've been on the elliptical, trying to build endurance and strength for this challenge. I'll be with Andy and other very supportive people. It's just walking.

Just walking to something that there are only four of on the planet. 

I want to do it. I feel like this would be a huge, missed opportunity. 

I just don't know if I can do it. What if I get halfway to the beach and I'm like, "Nope. I'm done." What if I twist my ankle? What if emergency services have to be involved? 

There are no services along this route. I hear airlifts are costly. My mind reels. 

Something tells me this will be one of those "memories of a lifetime" sort of adventures for me. A hike to something amazing and rare, a helicopter ride to a hospital landing pad, either way, I'll never forget it. 

I don't know if I can do this.

I guess I will find out when I try. 

PS - I will not be bringing back any sand from the beach if I make it. There is a fine of up to $100K for doing so. Definitely sounds like something I should not miss.

More at hiddencottageatlinncroft.com