Give What You Can...When You Can.

You know some days…you just can’t seem to go to sleep.  That has happened to me ever since I came back from California.  I guess they call it jet lag…but you think that it would pass faster than this.  In any case, it seems that the more I stay awake the more I seem to want to write.  So…I guess I am just going to do that.

Tonight, I think that I am going to revisit a post that I wrote over a year ago.  It was on our responsibilities as human beings to give to others.  I compared it to voting and fans at ballgames back then.  Today…I am going to say that giving to others is not a ‘right’ or a ‘privilege,’ such as voting or supporting our teams, rather…giving is an obligation. 

When I was spring cleaning today (which consisted of packing away a lot of Christmas stuff that was sitting in the spare room) I noticed how much I have been given.  So much…from snowglobes and decorations, to clothing, candles, candy, and more I have received from others.  I have been given a lot, and in life, God has blessed me in abundance (family, friends, good fortune in so many ways).  I remember the saying that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’  That is so true.  Whether we are given material things, money, a wonderful job, great friends, or any of so many things, we are expected to give back.  We don’t have to pay it forward, as we have already been paid.  We should want to give back in some way. 

The catch, that I believe gets most people, is automatically it is assumed that to do this you must be able to give money.  Not true.  Many of us do not have two extra dimes to rub together, let alone two dimes to give away.  However, we do have a talent, some time, or expertise that is needed by somebody or someplace in order for them to thrive.

Take for example, my organization, CASA.  You don’t have to have a lot of money to give back to children who are abused and neglected.  You can give of your time to help one out, you can volunteer an hour to help with an event sometime in the year, or you can even give 15 minutes (the time it would take to wait in line at Steak’n’Shake) to run in and help with a few office related tasks.  It really isn’t that hard.

Another couple examples (I use these because they are organizations that I am very familiar with and are dear to my heart)…Lost and Found.  They provide assistance to children and families who are grieving.  You don’t have to give money to help these families.  Maybe you know someone who is in the counseling field and can suggest that maybe they help provide support services for these families. Money or time out of your life? No…but a connection that might make the difference in a life of a child who just lost their Mommy or Daddy? Yes.  And, THAT is really a huge difference!  Then there is Wish I May, providing birthdays for children in need.  Do you have to give money to help them?  Nope.  How about having your own birthday party and asking people to bring a special gift for a boy or a girl?  You don’t even have to give up your own gifts!  You can give back at the same time you are receiving.  Wow!  What a great way to celebrate YOUR life! 

Now, don’t get me wrong…each of these, and so many other worthy organizations need your help financially.  Money is tight, as we all know.  However, think about this, which is a concept that we are working on right now through CASA.  Give what you can…when you can.  You don’t have to be a big spender to help make a difference.  Did you know that an organization still rejoices when they receive a $20, $10, or $5 check in the mail?  Seriously, that check goes to help the same people the check for $10000 goes to help. 

Remember the woman who gave all that she had in the Bible and the Pharisees mocked her?  Would THEY have given all that they had?  Had THEY not been given much?  Was not much expected from THEM?  In fact, she had given her all, and her two coins may have been the equivalent of $10000 to them.   Our non-profits know this and recognize their large and small donors as one very equal group: Those who are giving and who are making a difference.

So, on Monday, when you are out and about, reading the paper and seeing people who might be spending their money frivolously on the latest IPO, a lavish boat, or electronic surveillance devices…make a choice to give back.  Be the bigger person.  There is no IPO, or boat, or bug that can bring you the great satisfaction of giving back to a child, your neighbor, your community.  I promise. 

This Monday let us all remember to give what we can…when we can.  It’s so easy to make a difference…so let’s start doing it today.

Peace

The Music is All Around Us...

I haven't blogged in quite a while, and this one is short...but true...but figured I would post anyway.

“The music is all around us…all you have to do is listen.” – August Rush

Sometimes the noise all around drowns out the simple and sweet songs that make life so special.  That special friend who is always there to lift you up when you are feeling down, the child’s smile that brings a joy and warmth to your heart, or the simple thank you received when checking out at the grocery store. 

Many times the ‘noise’ of wars, threats of war, taxes, budget disputes, violence, turmoil (the list goes on and on) is so loud that we forget to listen to the beautiful music around us every day.  Honestly, even I have had a lot of difficulty with that as of late.  When things aren’t going the way I would like to see things go, I really lose focus on the small miracles that happen every day and tend to only see the negative and bad.  I lay here in bed thinking that I need to really find that focus again.  Just because we lose something special does not mean that we have to give up on everything else. 

It is like with death.  When someone you love dies, it is so hard to focus on anything positive and good.  You see the ill effects it has on the people who loved that person and are hurting and begin to focus on that as well.  With relationships it is often the same, whether personal or professional…love or just life.  Losing anything is always hard.  Time heals the loss.  The most difficult part, as humans, is that we often tend to allow ourselves to lose the moderation that is necessary to heal.  We become depressed and downtrodden.  We lose focus on the great and good things and only see the rest. 

Coming from the funeral home, I know this to be true.  You can tell anyone that time will heal and that someday they will be able to move on.  However, those are just words, heartfelt, but just words.  We all must take our time to heal.  We just have to remember to look forward, find the good and recognize it, and through those recognitions…we will be able to heal.

So, even when the dark seems like it is taking over and the negative thoughts are so loud that they seem to pierce your every fiber…remember, “The music is all around us…all you have to do is listen.”

Peace