We are coming upon the time of year when people are more giving and thoughtful of their fellow humans all around them. A time of year where people reflect on their lives and wonder what a new year may bring. So where did the other ten months go? What is so different about now?

Something about the end of things makes us reflect. Most of us aren’t that great at looking ahead with the same sort of scrutiny, but we usually take a hard look at what did happen, what we did, what could have happened and what we could have done differently. We finally explore the emotions we inflicted on others and upon ourselves, and become honest in the harsh light of fact, rather then a planned might be, about how we really were and are.
Let’s step away and think about giving, however. It’s something not easily defined in many situations. Giving can be a simple physical act of taking something tangible and passing it along to someone else. It can be something
less solid and it becomes an emotional exposure we reveal to someone else for our own purposes and/or theirs. Sometimes it’s letting someone else take what they need and we become more passive and just let it happen. At times it’s keeping what we have going on inside and let the other person have the room without our added weight. Giving can grow from person to person in a forward motion, like a snowball rolling down a hill. Giving can be a one-way stop from point A to point B. It can be both selfish and unselfish. It can mean a small token, to a larger gesture that changes someones life. The best part about giving is the more you make others feel they are empowered,
special and worthy of the world around them with all it has to offer, the more you too become just that!
So why just two months out of the year? I don’t have a clue. I know even when I was younger I would take the days I had off from school and have someone drop me off at the local nursing home to help out. It doesn’t take
a lot of effort, just the intention of good and a little planning and common sense. There are plenty of websites, like Make-A-Wish Foundation’s, where you can sign up to help in many capacities as often as you and your life will
allow. If you don’t think you can emotionally take on the toll of dealing directly with elderly or sick children for example, you can work administratively or hang up signs for their fundraisers. People think that small or short gestures can’t change the world, but think if everyone stopped and did even ten or twenty minutes of “giving” every week! Imagine the changes and possibilities! Churches and community leaders used to instill this in our communities and sadly in the face of politics and a society focused outward, we have lost the sort of drive that used to inspire us to make a difference in not only our world, but realizing that changing the world in fact starts with ourselves. They say charity starts at home, but I think it starts in the mind, soul and hearts of those who would heed its luring call. You definitely get out of life what you put in, both for yourselves and others.
You don’t need a full weekend, large sums of money or even a full-blown organization to do it. I have read stories about children (always accompanied by 2 or more adults) gathering mittens, scarves, coats and sandwiches and handing them out to homeless, along with information on local programs. What about the kids who give up birthday presents to send soccer balls to Africa, or pens to schoolchildren who can’t afford them and consequently can’t attend school? If kids under 13 are able to make this sort of difference, then what excuse does anyone have not to do at least as much? Being thankful means being able to realize you have a blessed life and have something to
give others. It’s realizing that if you give, then you inspire others to give and it will eventually come to you when you need it most. Some call it Karma or paying-it-forward, but in the end it’s just how things work.
So where do you start? There are a hundred organizations and churches in every community who know of families in need, or have programs where they could use help. Decide realistically what you can handle and what you can do. Don’t forget to figure in your time restraints. (Being honest and realistic with yourself, is not the same as being selfish and it helps to know that! You can say no, if you can’t do more at some point. No one will blame you.)
Remember every part is important; so if you volunteer and end up folding envelopes instead of handing out sandwiches on the front lines, don’t be discouraged! Finally, realize that there is need everywhere in many lives
and circumstances year round and make a commitment in the New Year to live life in forward instead of reverse and help others along with you. When you reach your hand out to help, you will be surprised at all you pull back to your heart.
Jennifer Altherr, Butyoudontlooksick.com, © 2007