Every day, all over the world, people help and serve their families, neighbors, communities, and beyond. So, as we travel I want to make that we observe, learn, and join in the variety of ways that people give of themselves to benefit others.

When I first read about the 29 Day Giving Challenge I wasn't sure I wanted to be part of it. To sit and record one's own good deeds seemed to me . . . well . . . self-centered. I mean when we give of ourselves to others, we are not supposed to keep score or brag about it.   

But the more I explored the website http://www.29gifts.org/ and read the stories of giving, the better I felt; not just about the concept of the challenge, but the more I became inspired. There are thousands of stories of people doing for others from seemingly small to immense acts of kindness.  I read the stories out loud to my kids and they kept asking me to read more. This is when I knew this was something we should explore further.


Side note: We joined the Challenge as a family. Soon after we decided to commit, I picked up the phone and called the Salvation Army, knowing that they would probably be able to use some volunteer help around the holidays.  Sure enough The Salvation Army did need help and were happy to put the kids to work too.

In the past, the kids and I picked angels off an Angel Tree to sponser a child. This year we were able to volunteer behind the scenes in the warehouse of the Salvation Army. It felt really good to be part of the process of organizing and finalizing the gifts for each child's/parent's request. We all worked hard for four days and felt like Santa's helpers.


As I continued to read more stories, it was obvious that the men and women who were sharing their stories were definitely not expecting anything in return for their efforts. These folks truly have a giving "spirit."  I think that giving is spiritual. A sincere act of giving is never-EVER accompanied by an expectation that one will receive something in return. If a person can't give of themself without keeping score of their so-called "good deeds" then they shouldn’t bother giving. It takes the "spirituality" out of the act and in the end, the person will feel frustration if they never “get back” whatever they feel they deserve in return.

So Why Join The Challenge?

Inspiration~

We don’t tend to hear about the wonderful, humane acts occurring every day in our communities. We all know that the news media likes to push news on us that gives us a rush and keeps our attention via stories that promote intrigue, fear, and prejudice.

Accentuate the Positive~

Likewise, it is more common for a store own to hear complains rather than compliments. I wonder what the ratio of complaints to compliments really is. Anyone know? I have done this myself. I was upset one day by a cashier at a store. I didn’t hesitate to call the store up and speak with the manager about the problem. The manager was helpful and consoling. In the midst of my complaint I added that I had been going the store for years and that overall, I thought it was top notch; the service, the prices, etc. As I was talking I realized that although I was very happy with the establishment more than 99% of the time, I had never bothered to call and compliment them for this. Shame on me!

Be a Tattletale~

Write about all of the things others do for you! Sometimes I forget about all of the wonderful acts of kindness directed toward me, especially from those closest to me. I think sometimes it is easy for us (me) to overlook all of the selfless, habitual things that our family and friends do for us on a daily basis. One fun way to say “thanks” and to acknowledge the blessings we receive is to share them.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy~

So the more we take the time to communicate with others about all of the sympathetic, courageous, caring, thoughtful, gentle, honorable, self-sacrificing things we are doing for our families, neighbors, communities, and world; the more these sincere, spiritual, ethical acts will become common place.


Other reasons to join? Who else is already part of the Challenge, or something similar?