Giving isn't selfless, not really, and I know that. We give because it makes us feel good, among other reasons, and there's nothing wrong with that. Making someone's day better is fun, and we should relish the act of giving for all the reasons we're motivated to do it.
When I found this site/idea, 29 Days of Giving, I was inspired. Mainly because it's not encouraging straightforward buying a gift and handing it over but about giving of yourself, your time, your energy. That's so much more meaningful than something picked up at Target.
(Although, who doesn't like Target gifts?)
Mike and I are on a tight budget and we're tightening up even more come April, but that doesn't mean life has to end or giving has to cease. I can give a card, a few hours of my time, a cup of coffee, my place in line. See, when you start getting creative, we all could give more, right?
So, I'm doing this in April. I'll keep track for myself, just to be sure I'm doing what I say I'm doing. This will also help with my 2010 goal to let good things motivate me more often. I think I spent an entire year in college motivated by fear and stupid boys. Even though life doesn't necessarily get easier as we get older (what with the debt and the mortgage and the sleepless nights), it does get more refreshing. Especially when motivated by the desire to make my life and the lives of friends better.
If you plan to do this, I'd love to know. It's just plain nice to see adults doing good things.
And you can rest assured one gift will be a glass of champagne to myself. It's been a long 40 days.
