How To Become A Giver Even If You’re Broke
December has to be the most LOVE-filled month even beating out February. It is hard to compete with the season to be jolly. Love has many forms and my favorite is generosity. I have always had the urge to want to help people and give whatever I can here and there – sometimes even giving my last or more than I could afford. Until one day I STOPPED giving…
Why? I just could not afford to give anything it felt like, not even change. I knew it would all add up and would be able to probably feed me in a tough time in that period of my life. Wanting to give would eat away at me and recently I found myself back wanting to give less because I wanted to save money for upcoming projects, website hosting fees, vacations, student loans, more bills, etc. Then there was that feeling again, the feeling of sorrow that I didn’t feel I was able to give anything. So I went on a search for ways to give back with out being rich.
I realized I couldn’t keep telling my self I will be some big time giver when I make as much as Oprah or Diddy. I believe generosity is reciprocated. I believe life always turns full circle, whether good deeds or karma. Realize generosity is NOT always about money – it is about friendships, time given, mentorship, knowledge sharing, and yes sometimes money. Learn to give in a creative and effective way with these three ideas below…
Lunch/Coffee on you: Many of us begin meals or rounds of drinks with friends believing we will be paying for our own portion of the check and then, BOOM! Someone picks up the tab. These small costs create a BIG sense of gratitude. Next time out to lunch or coffee, don’t let them pay. Pick up the tab and I promise your generosity will be returned.
Timeshare: Create hour time slots throughout the month to give to people. Set aside two hours a month to start with then grow from there. Utilize the time you are giving to help a friend comete a task that takes extra hands. Help them create something or even connect them with a point of contact that would be of benefit to them. Motor programs are one of my favorite ways to offer my pesonal time for another’s benefit.
Help where you can: Don’t set yourself back on food or bills because you donated outside of your means. If you can’t help with donating money find a way to be generous with the ways discussed in the post. Everything counts in generosity whether it’s donating time, knowledge or a helping hand.
