I don't know if you've noticed a new trend in birthdays, but this is the second similar e-mail I have received from a dear friend in the last month.

I pass it on to you because you might want to consider this yourself. And I'm giving you Shirley's e-mail address in case you want to participate in giving a gift of yourself to someone you don't know.

Read on, and I think you'll be impressed by the concept.

Hi everyone,

Some of you know me well - some hardly at all, but that doesn't matter!

I'm delighted to say that feedback keeps coming in for The Power of Giving, and it's all positive.

I want to share one note in particular, which I received in response to the article I wrote on alternative Christmas presents.

It's from Brandy who lives in a rural community in Ontario. She wrote:

Wow.  A lot of friends and colleagues have gotten back to me with their own giving stories.  These ideas are so great, and so personal, that I think the best way to share them is in the authors’ own words:

When times are tough, it's a good idea to look for the silver lining. Despite continued dark economic news and the growing concerns for our planet’s safety, I think I see one. It lies in the choices we make and the differences we can make this year as one of our biggest gift-giving seasons comes knocking.