| In life, when someone wants to give to charity they | | | | boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, |
| believe that they need to give big, but most are | | | | usefulness, belonging and influence. Visit a Boy's Club |
| forgetting the real point of giving. Not all of us have | | | | or Girl's Club near you to learn more. |
| the ability to give like the Oprahs or Jolies/Pitts or | | | | 12. Go to your child's school and be a teacher's |
| Gates of the world. But, it's not how big you give | | | | assistant, one day a week. Spend more time with |
| that matters, its how you give on an everyday basis | | | | the other kids in the classroom; spend only a little |
| that really counts. It's fairly easy to write a check | | | | time with your child. |
| and mail it to a charitable organization. It's a whole | | | | 13. Leave a special note in your child's lunch box |
| other thing to go to a homeless shelter and give of | | | | letting them know how much you appreciate and |
| your time. | | | | love them. |
| I have come up with "26 Ways to Give Small and | | | | 14. Tell someone why you love them and why you |
| Get Big Results," to try and make a difference in | | | | appreciate them. Be specific. |
| your spiritual life and in the lives of others. Some of | | | | 15. Visit the Dollar Store and purchase umbrellas and |
| these small ways of giving might seem difficult or | | | | give them out during bad weather. |
| take you out of your comfort zone. Some may even | | | | 16. Spend quality time with the sick or elderly. Visit a |
| feel unnecessary, but trust me they will make quite | | | | local nursing home or senior citizens center. You can |
| an impact on others as well as yourself. Believe it or | | | | read to them or take walks with them. Show them |
| not, it's the little things in life that really make an | | | | that someone still cares about them. |
| impact. Many of these ideas may not necessarily be | | | | 17. If you have a place of business, offer |
| new to you and some may even cost you a few | | | | refreshments (I recommend healthy organic snacks) |
| dollars, but hopefully they will serve as a reminder | | | | for your customers. Fresh fruit instead of sugary |
| and I guarantee the overall spiritual wellbeing you will | | | | foods, bottled water instead of carbonated |
| receive will far outweigh the cost. I encourage you | | | | beverages and tea in lieu of coffee. |
| to do an act of spiritual kindness every day. It | | | | 18. During the holiday season donate toys and |
| doesn't need to be big, just do something small, but | | | | clothing to the local homeless shelter. Do a |
| do something each and every day. | | | | neighborhood get together and get your neighbors to |
| 1. Buy a gift for someone you don't really like or | | | | contribute. Barbeques in December are the best. |
| someone that rubs you the wrong way. And, make it | | | | 19. Create a photo DVD with music of family |
| a personal gift, something that you know he/she will | | | | memories. Create one for each family member and |
| really enjoy. And here's the kicker - do it without | | | | show it after Holiday dinner. |
| them knowing the gift was from you! | | | | 20. Always drive safely and courteously. In heavy |
| 2. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister. Big Brothers | | | | traffic, always let someone merge into your lane. |
| Big Sisters is the oldest, largest and most effective | | | | Don't get mad if someone cuts you off. They're |
| youth mentoring organization in the United States. | | | | clearly in a rush or just poor drivers. They don't mean |
| They have been the leader in one-to-one youth | | | | to hurt you. Their actions mean nothing to you. Wish |
| service for more than a century, developing positive | | | | them well. |
| relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on | | | | 21. Forgive the actions of someone who has |
| the lives of young people. Big Brothers/Big Sisters | | | | offended you. |
| mentors children, ages 6 through 18, in communities | | | | 22. Give praise to someone each day; learn to |
| across the country. Volunteer at a Big Brothers / Big | | | | appreciate the good in others. |
| Sisters near you. | | | | 23. Next time you buy lottery tickets, buy an extra |
| 3. Leave your change in the office vending machine | | | | ticket and give it to the cashier. No strings attached. |
| for the next person. You will make their day! | | | | 24. If one of your friends or co-workers asks you to |
| 4. On a hot summer day, hand out bottles of ice cold | | | | buy a candy bar to support their kid's football/soccer |
| water. Visit your local park, senior center or | | | | sports team purchase the entire box and give the |
| recreational area and just hand out bottles of ice cold | | | | candy away. |
| water. There will be appreciation on everyone's face. | | | | 25. Next time you go out to eat and have a meal |
| 5. Donate some time to tutor at a local school or | | | | with less than acceptable service give the server an |
| community college. | | | | extra large tip. They could be having a bad day, |
| 6. When you take your morning walk bring a trash | | | | brighten their day with a thoughtful gift. |
| bag and pick up litter in your neighborhood. | | | | 26. Take $20.00 and give it to someone, for no |
| 7. When your spouse returns from a hard day's | | | | reason, just give it to them. Buy their gas, pay for |
| work, have a bath ready with candles, rose petals in | | | | the couple behind you in line at the movie theater or |
| the water and soothing music. And have dinner | | | | purchase coffee for the car behind you in the drive |
| catered by a professional chef. | | | | thru. At the grocery store leave the money for the |
| 8. Help your elderly or sick neighbor with their yard or | | | | next customer. |
| help with an errand. Mow the lawn, rake leaves, | | | | I challenge you to come up with your own creative |
| shovel snow, or buy groceries or walk their dog. | | | | ways to give small. You can give to anyone, not just |
| 9. When the mailman visits offer an ice cold glass of | | | | someone poor or homeless. Give even to some rich |
| lemonade or hot beverage in the winter. Tell them | | | | person. Maybe it might be just what they need; |
| how much you appreciate them and the service they | | | | some spiritual enlightenment. |
| provide. | | | | There you have it "26 Ways to Give Small and Get |
| 10. Properly prepare for your garbage collection and | | | | Big Results." For the next 26 weeks use one small |
| appreciate the sanitation engineers' work and an ice | | | | spiritual give a week. It is not going to be easy. You |
| cold six-pack for after their shift won't hurt. | | | | will get resistance from your ego as well as some |
| 11. Volunteer to coach a boys/girls sports team. In | | | | who will be offended by your charity. Just stay the |
| every community, boys and girls are left to find their | | | | course and be humble and let whatever happens be |
| own recreation and companionship in the streets. An | | | | okay. Do your deeds of spiritual kindness with |
| increasing number of children are at home with no | | | | humility and compassion without recognition or praise. |
| adult care or supervision. Young people need to | | | | Create your own ways of giving by finding ways to |
| know that someone cares about them. Boys & | | | | give small and I guarantee you will be spiritually |
| Girls Clubs offer that and more. Club programs and | | | | enriched. |
| services promote and enhance the development of | | | | |