Be Generous

How many times have you heard the expression…” I’m blessed to be a blessing”?

Do you find it easier to be generous with money? (as opposed to your time)

Honestly, sometimes, I do. Often, it is just a click away like donating to a Go Fund Me page. Writing a check to your favorite charity. Paying a Seniors tab at the diner. Dropping spare change in the jar, by the register. And even buying addicting Girl Scout Cookies. You don’t have to be rich to be generous. I’ll say it again. You-do-do-not-have-to-be-rich-to-be-generous.

Sometimes, I think it’s deeper than what we give and more about how we give. Like our mindset and the spirit in which we ought to give. Have you ever received a gift, out of the blue and wondered why this surprise? Or considered what was their motivation? Probably not.. you accepted and happily said “Thank You”. Can you give for the sheer joy of giving…out of pure love?

I believe it is much harder to be generous with our time because we often feel there is so little of it. How often do you mock that you need more hours in a day? I know I’ve said it weekly. But I specify, not more work hours; I prefer more hours during the night so I can get more sleep.

Most people equate time with money. We would rather not fiddle fixing something when we can just buy a new one. We can’t help coaching a little league team after work because we could network during happy hour. We will not go serve at the food bank because we could be golfing with our friends. We decide what is or is not worth our time.

Imagine if we reset our minds to give more than what is expected. Consider how we can be generous with our time and talents. What if we did not just pledge a donation, but we called the shelter to get their grocery list and went to purchase the needed items. What if we read stories at the children’s hospital every month instead of just sending Toys for Tots during Christmas.

In early February, after listening to China COVID reports, I began to feel an urgency to do something, but didn’t know what. The infection rates & fatality figures were heartbreaking but what could I do. After all, I’m a seamstress, and they were running low on mask even though they provided the world with most of its inventory.

I began to research, watch some videos and found CDC guidelines for constructing mask. Within a week, I was making homemade face mask in hopes of doing my little part to help in this crisis. And then the pandemic hit the United States! I was actually ahead of the curve, and began to provide free mask to healthcare professionals, postal employees, seniors and other community and essential workers. To date, I’ve made over 600 custom face masks. Doing my part to flatten the curve. No team, just me and my sewing machine.

You maybe saying, in this COVID 19 season, I don’t have it to give. How can we be generous when we don’t have enough for ourselves? We have all lost something in 2020, myself included….whether a good nights sleep, peace of mind, a loved one, provision of healthcare, job income, the need to socialize; some financial gains, some educational opportunities; and the list goes on.

Attitude Adjustment

Regardless of what you may have lost, you still have plenty left if you are breathing! I challenge you to be a cheerful giver and watch your spirit soar.

If you have time… volunteer or start a nonprofit

If you can cook…make a meal for an elderly neighbor

If you have a car…give someone a ride

If you have an extra bedroom…support an exchange student

If you have math aptitude…tutor a struggling student

If you knit…make swaddles for the NICU

If you have funds…give to a charity you are passionate about

If you have extra school supplies…donate to a single mom

If you have a closet full of clothes…donate to a shelter

Regardless of how much money you make…You can make a difference for someone else.