Black Friday.
Small Business Saturday.
Cyber Monday.
More and more, it seems like Thanksgiving, a day when we are to celebrate what — and who — we have in our lives, is quickly brushed aside in the never ending push for more. With the marketers and advertisers pushing the newest and greatest fad, they play on the feel good time of the year with catchy buzzwords.
More. Me. Mine. Want. Need. Must have.
Yet these words mean the opposite of what the winter holiday season is about. These words are about wanting more, not being grateful for what we have. They are about acquiring material possessions instead of giving back.
Enter, Giving Tuesday.
I had never heard of Giving Tuesday until last year. A day to set aside and give back to the community by donating time, goods or money to help charities or non-profits.
A good idea, but part of me — the cynical, jaded side — keeps thinking Why do we need a special day for this? Why can’t it be part of our daily lives?
The urge to do good for others has always been with me. From the community based projects from my earliest Girl Scout days to raising a puppy to be a service dog, I have been made aware of the needs in my community and have worked as hard as I can to fill those needs. To know I made a difference, no matter how small, really is the greatest feeling out there.
So Giving is a part of my daily life, not just the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It can be a part of your life, too. All it takes is for you to take the first step.
- Have an Amazon account? Turn it into an Amazon Smile account. That way .5% of all your amazon purchases go to the charity of your choice. It may not sound like much, but if you shop on Amazon as much as I go, it adds up. Quick!
- How about old clothes or household items you never use? You can take them to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army store where someone who needs them can get them at a reduced price.
- Maybe you switched jobs lately and have some business clothes you no longer need. Check out Working Wardrobes and give someone else a chance to get back on their feet.
- Do you have extra blankets or towels lying around? Your local animal shelter is always in need of those items.
The list is endless. There are so many ways we can give back and make this world a better place. Don’t limit it to one day, spread the love all year round!
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