Wholeness Healing Center

The Time to Give is Now

As we enter the new year, with resolutions, goals, and more focused direction, it is also a good time to look at what we do for others. How do we contribute to the betterment of the whole? What can and do we offer to others by way of volunteering, donating, assisting, mentoring, or other numerous ways we have available to help humankind?

Stepping back from a time of sharing great amounts of food with friends and family, purchasing and receiving a great amount of “gifts”, many of which are really “wants” and not “needs”, and celebrating all that we have, we might want to look at how we now can take all our blessings and share with others who may be without food, clothing, housing, or even just someone with whom to make a personal connection.

While most of us work toward gratitude, how many of us actually follow through to “help others”? More than lip service, we need action. More than “talk”, we need “do”. And as we “do”, we truly will make an impact on others. As a society, we have fallen short on our follow-through, further high-lighting our focus on ourselves rather than others.

Just for today, just for this week, truly make a plan and follow through. Purchase an extra can of vegetables or fruit or a paper product each week when grocery shopping and then donate to a food pantry on a monthly basis. For one month, put all your pocket change in a cup and donate that amount of money, monthly, for a year. As you de-clutter your house, box up the clothing to donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, a homeless shelter, or send to a reservation. There are always others who can use clothing, especially coats, this time of year.

Encourage your children to look at giving, teaching why it is important for us to be aware of the needs of others. Incorporate family giving to further anchor the value of gratitude moving into action. Not just to make the plan, but to truly follow through, for one month, for three months, for six months, or even better, for a year. Volunteer your time to stock a food pantry, mentor a child, help serve meals at a homeless shelter, build houses, or drive someone without a car to a medical appointment. Visit a shut-in (after the holidays), prepare meals for those you know who are in need, volunteer to read to children at a library. The list is endless and varied.

Do something. Give of yourself and prepare to be surprised by the gift you receive from giving. Prepare to open your heart to feel the warmth of showing someone else that you care. As you give to someone else, you too will be able to receive joy in your heart as you reach out and have a positive impact on humankind. When we give, we receive so much in return. Now is the time.

Tags: Giving during the holidays, teaching children to look at giving