After a few weeks I feel it is convenient to evaluate the game proposed at the inspiring Altruism workshop some of us attended. For the absents: an altruistic present to the person whose name was picked from a hat, in such a way the receiver will never know who sent it to him/her.
In my case, I would like to heartily thank the person who sent me this wonderful Around The World cooking book, of which I have already made a Ligurian dish of stuffed eggplants and a Thyme & Lime chicken from the Caribbean. And also for the cheerful letter commenting how much he/she had thought about me, containing a beautiful poem about focusing energy to make a better world. It made/makes me feel so special, appreciated and it gave me new challenges and creativity. It was PERFECT.
As for my giving, the process of thinking alternatives and finally finding something that will accompany this person with my best intentions, made me smile and gave me excitement. I felt compelled and at the same time the search tested my responsibility. It was so simple and satisfying: a fleeting gesture that contributed to a moment of peace and selfless connection.
A big thank to the group for being there and contributing to a deviation in our self-centered inertia.

My altruistic present was divinely chosen also. It was a real buzz to know that someone had been considering me so specifically. So thank you to whoever and to Aurora for organising the exercise. I found it intriguing and challenging trying to think of a suitable gift for someone that I didn't know very well.

FROM FELIPE, ONE OF AURORA'S GUESTS:
'I feel I have had similar experiences to the one of the exercise of the altruistic present, but in a slightly different way. I mean, in our daily lives sometimes we face possibilities where you decide to give or not, to do a good deed towards a cause or somebody. In that sense, in several occasions I have chosen to do it, without knowing that perhaps they were altruistic actions. This exercise helped me clarify my doubts about the concept of Altruism and woke more curiousity about it.
I would like to mention that, although I haven't received my altruistic present, I value much more the opportunity to have had to reflect and create an act of goodness and generosity in the shape of a present, for a person whom I hadn't had the chance to know deeply. I can tell you that I enjoyed a lot the process of creation and production of my present, and finding out the best way to deliver it. I have the feeling the person who received it must have perceived the affection which which I made it, and I hope I gave at least a short moment of happiness in his/her life. I really hope so.
Once again, thanks to the whole candid group who attended the workshop, and especially to Ben and Aurora for guiding this search that, I hope, will continue.'
Felipe Argandoña

I must admit, this was something that initially challenged me quite a bit. How do I find a suitable present for a virtual stranger who I know hardly anything about and whom I have only been in contact with for one afternoon? I have enough trouble finding gifts for my closest friends as it is! The whole thing about gift giving is a funny issue for me because we live in such a society where everything is so freely available and can on the most part be bought if you have the right amount of money. So unless you are buying something for someone who otherwise cannot afford it, the challenge of gift giving now lies solely in getting to know the person well enough so that you can give them something which is meaningful to them as an individual. Considering the circumstances of this activity, this was quite difficult to do (that is without stalking them!), but I think I ended up settling on something which was hopefully, to some extent, more than just another material item.

As for what I received, I was pleasantly suprised and I did get avery nice vibe from the person who sent it. So thankyou to them and thankyou to Aurora for organising this.