Giving Tuesday

(Originally published by my friends at Stridepost.com.  Re-printed here, for posterity, with their permission.)

Thanksgiving.

Black Friday.

Cyber Monday.

A long weekend of excess, of focusing, at least in part, on ones’ own wants and abundance. We celebrate the gifts that we do have, good fortune, family and food. And the very next day, sometimes that very same night, many of us GO INSANE….

The collective we, (I don’t partake) fight over televisions and dish towels and this year’s hot toys. There are always casualties.  It’s… not good. And then we all go back to work, and many of us continue this long weekend of excessive consumerism, by shopping on-line.   At least there are fewer casualties. If only a day existed during this time, that is set aside for selflessness, for doing right by others. A day for… giving, instead of obtaining.

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”― Charles Dickens 

Why it just so happens, that there IS!

It’s called Giving Tuesday.

Giving Tuesday takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It was created in 2012, for the purpose of bringing people, communities and organizations together from around the world to celebrate and encourage… giving. The giving of time, resources and talents to address local concerns.

“What we spend, we lose. What we keep will be left for others. What we give away will be ours forever.” ― David McGee

If I may get serious for a moment:

In my world, the same world as most of you who read this today, there’s been quite a bit of upheaval this month. There’s a lot of uncertainty about our future, and many people are feeling powerless and afraid. This is one of the reasons I chose to write about this topic.

“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.”― Mary Anne Radmacher

To be able to give of yourself, in any true and meaningful way, feels… good.  And I, for one, could use a heck of a lot more of THAT in my life at the moment. So, however you may be able to do so, try to make Giving Tuesday a thing in your life. Be it via the link I’ll likely be posting at the end of this article, or some other channel.

• Call a local food bank, to see what they’re most in need of. I guarantee you they have a list by the phone.
• Blankets and towels and supplies to local animal shelter
• Talk to someone at your church for suggestions on local organizations that are in need of… you.

And feel just a little bit better about your own life.

“Giving feels good. It is a form of healing. Not just for you as an individual, but for everyone.”– Jennifer Beals

Oh, Hey! The Link!!