What’s the best gift of self? by tojosan

Here is Emerson’s quotation on gifts, in the context of the original 1844 “Gifts” essay:

Next to things of necessity, the rule for a gift, which one of my friends prescribed, is, that we might convey to some person that which properly belonged to his character, and was easily associated with him in thought.

But our tokens of compliment and love are for the most part barbarous. Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself.

Thou must bleed for me. Therefore the poet brings his poem; the shepherd, his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing. This is right and pleasing, for it restores society in so far to its primary basis, when a man’s biography is conveyed in his gift, and every man’s wealth is an index of his merit. But it is a cold, lifeless business when you go to the shops to buy me something, which does not represent your life and talent, but a goldsmith’s. This is fit for kings, and rich men who represent kings, and a false state of property, to make presents of gold and silver stuffs, as a kind of symbolical sin-offering, or payment of black-mail.

Best answer to any question I’ve asked in a long time.

Thank you thatgirlallie.

Social media mavens talk about doing something useful with it, but we often here more talk about than actual making of media.  Or the media created is more navel gazing than content.  Live Readings aims to fight that tide.

The Live Readings blog is all about individual contributors from around the world contributing  by reading aloud poetry and prose.  An ever growing number of contributors have taken time to record themselves reading the favorite poems, sonnets, and short literary excerpts.

Voice readers of all stripes are welcome. Don’t be shy; be a contributor.  Anyone can join in the fun.

It’s easy but does require a small amount of effort:

1. Join Wordpress.com

2. Sign up or be invited to be a contributor on the Live Readings blog.

3. Join Utterz

4. Set up an Utterz connection so you can post there.

5. Record your reading on Utterz and Share It to the blog. Voila!

All of the Live Readings contributors are using that method.  You can ask questions in the comments here or over there.  Drop me an email if you’d like as well. tojosan — gmail.com.

So what has social media brought to you today?