Day 18/29 Days of Giving is…

Jan 13

Jan 13 Day 18/29 Days of Giving is…

What if I told you ...in no, uncertain terms - that you CAN make a difference in the world?

What if i told that you can BE the difference in the world.

What if it starts right here. Right now.

There is no greater gift I can give to each of you than the gift (or reminder) of giving itself.

Let's face it: we can all stand to be a bit kinder, a bit more generous in our lives. If you ever even get close to a point within your life where you think you have done all you can, or that you have done that proverbial 'just enough' or you have met some sort of imaginary status quo on generosity - then I'm sorry to say that you are sorely mistaken. The day you allow yourself to believe that - is the day you have sadly, given up. It's the day that you no longer make a positive significant impact in the world.

The world we all - for the record- share. It's not just yours. It's not just mine. It's ours. We share the same air. We occupy the same spaces. Our money changes hands at every turn. Whether you are conscious of it or not - we need one another. We depend on one another. To make a living, to raise our children, to care for us as we ail. Every minuscule detail in your life is shared - in some way or another - with another living being. It's not just some desire, or platitude to live by - it is our duty, not only to ourselves - but to others - as we strive to be gentler. kinder. more generous. There is no downside here folks. There is no 'perfect' time that you'll be in a better position to do so either - that is just an excuse we all use (myself included) ... to make ourselves feel better. Ask yourself what it is that you can give.

During this project I have rediscovered the hopeless optimism I once had. Problems that have been thrown at me through the course of this have seemed far more minimal than before. I am thinking positively as a whole again, and feeling that same vibe thrown back at me. Kindness breeds kindness, and when you really, and I mean really... open your eyes to it - it's abso-friggin-lutly-amazing. I'm glad I stopped making excuses and just started ... well, doing.

With every new dawn, I ask myself what more can I do to make an impact in our world. I'm not looking to cure cancer, but if one little smile can make a child whose crying stop, and the stressed out mother with her baby feels a bit lighter...perhaps she'll open the door to the store for an elderly woman who could have been injured trying to, and maybe she in turn gives a coupon she can't use to a single father who was recently laid off from work and couldn't afford the meal otherwise, perhaps he may now offer some of his time or skills to a neighbor who needed a repair to their steps done, not only saving them from a lawsuit of an injured guest but sparking them to give of their time to yet someone else... who knows JUST how far that one, tiny smile could reach.

I'm not asking you to give up your house, starve yourself, or strive to be perfect. I'm asking you merely to think a bit outside of the box. Redefine your definition of generosity. Give with intent - not just in passing. Each day, give a bit more. Nurture yourself, your loved ones - and yes, even strangers. I'm not saying anything here - you haven't heard before. I'm just like you. I get stressed. I am selfish some days. Often I have very little free time, and am usually more than overwhelmed and committed.

I suppose - my point is simply this: We are not that different you & I. Some have told me how lucky, or fortunate I am to be in a position to do this project. I find myself feeling sorry, and a bit annoyed for whomever states it - as I am not lucky, I am not in some financial position to do this project, I don't have heaps of free time to offer either. I MADE this happen for myself. I hold myself accountable for it. I create it every day. Luck doesn't have a damn thing to do with it. I chose a way, to fit this back into my life. Every way I carried this out, was for a specific reason, that suits my life and would essentially wake me up again, and force me to go back to the basics.

There is no magic formula here, none of this is probably news to you and you will probably have a different way that works for you. And ya know what? That's a-ok.

Journal some ideas for giving, and kindness out. Make up little pay-it-forward stories in your head to start accepting the real value in giving. Skip your Starbucks or some other non-essential for a day, use that money to do something nice for someone else. Find the things in your life you are grateful for. The little things - the crisp air you breathe. The raindrops that look like diamonds on a bare branch. Learn to look at those small facets of life with gratitude, and you'll find everything else will all slowly, come into place. Forgive yourself, for the days when you're not as kind or generous as you could have been - they are inevitable. Just...try. Give, with intent.

I know, there are several of you... who dismiss this stuff as a crock of poo. I can honestly promise you - it's not. Can't motivate yourself to do it for the right reasons? Then do it, because more good will come to you as a result. Since life is alllllllll about perspective - surrounding yourself with positivity in the best ways you can - makes life, well ... far easier. Yes, easier. Anger, resentment, selfishness etc.. all fuel misery, trample hope, and destroy lives. Let kindness, gratitude, and generosity steer your life. Make it rich with substance, and joy - and if it is already, create more. Create the life you want. The life, you deserve.

Today's Giveaway? Is the book: Acts of Kindness: How to Create a Kindness Revolution . The recipient of today's giveaway can use this to jumpstart, or further along their own kindness journey. It's my hope, they will then pass it on to someone else as well.