Here are two stories about "giving" that we're collecting from readers and publishing this week. To find out more or submit your own >> click here.
From Randi:
Hi Maxwell -
I'm a single Mom with 5 children - in 2 bodies (one is gifted, the other has Autism and Down syndrome - so it often feels like 5!). Although we have never been wealthy, both of my children have always known how rich it makes you feel to give. One example: every fall when they get a new backpack for school, their old ones become "Homeless Bags". We fill them with warm socks, gloves, a scarf or hat, the toiletry samples we save from hotels or stores, a coupon book for fast food, stamps, envelopes, pencil, etc. It is always a delight to see what they choose to add over the years...
Our "Homeless Bags" now include gently used purses, gym bags, suitcases, etc etc. filled with a great selection of things. We keep them in the trunk of our car. When we see someone on the roadside asking for help, we circle the block & choose a bag that we think "fits" & give them that instead of money. My oldest is now 22 - and called just after moving to her first apartment to share the thrill of giving to a shoeless vet in LA.
in/en JOY!
Randi, Seattle
randi@artatTheRanch.com
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From Yvette:
Dear AT,
My husband and I had a baby last October and I didn't have a job to go back to after maternity leave.
We have been on one waiters salary for over a year and barely make rent each month, but I still feel the need to help the poor at church and on the street each week.
Although, we may be struggling, there are less fortunate people out there without a roof over their head and warm clothes.
Since we count each dollar on a weekly basis towards our bills, this extra money I give could put us in a pinch but I always seem to end up finding money randomly in weird places around the house. Giving is the biggest reward!!
Yvette
(Painting by Sebastian Stoskopff via Ancient Industries)
Love it. The world can never have too much generosity.
view I Love Upstate's profile
Brilliant idea, Randi!
And Yvette, you're a shining example that the surest way to get what you need is to give it.
Great post.
view vivbabe's profile
this is so sweet - i loved both of these stories. thank you so much for posting them, maxwell.
the current financial situation made me realize that my level of credit card debt, while understandable (i spent all five of my years in college traveling at the drop of a hat, and i made some beautiful memories that i will hold with me for a long, long time), was not tenable or necessary now that i have a decent job. so, in addition to furnishing a new and expensive (though absurdly reasonable for boston) apartment in a new and expensive city from scratch, i'm also aggressively paying down my debt.
i am a big gift giver, and this year it's been so hard to understand that in my quest for fiscal responsibility, i can't give as much as i would like to this year. i've been trying to give my time, my cheer, and anything intangible i can think of - which is hard, because winter is not my finest set of hours - but it may be that the work of quieting my temper in the winter months is the gift that keeps on giving :)
view curvatura's profile
I loved this great youtube video clip about a non-consumerist focussed Christmas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU
I then found more great gift-giving ideas at rethinkingchristmas.com
Hope others enjoy it as much as I did!
view verano's profile