8 Ways You Can Give Back

8 Ways You Can Give Back

GIVING BACK IN 2020

This year more than ever people want to give back. Giving back can mean to someone special or to their community or even broader than that. It makes you feel good that you are making a difference in someone's life. 

Why is it important to give back? “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”  ~Gandhi. The fulfilling feeling of giving back and contributing to society is unparalleled. It can make you feel empowered and inspired because it is completely selfless.

No one is saying you have to do anything. I'm certainly not telling you what to do. In fact sometimes you aren't able to or you have other priorities and it's just not a good time to give more of yourself to others. My own way of giving back is not defined by what others say or what Google pulls up when I do a term search. Lately it feels like we must check a box or add something to our resume in order to be validated by such things. If you need a gold star or to be written up because you did something then perhaps you're in it for the wrong reasons.

I'm in awe of people who give monetarily to others when they have very little if any any expendable funds. That is completely selfless and laudatory. If you have a strict budget and don't always know how you're going to pay your bills or feed yourself, but you give money to those in need, then I believe you have the highest value as a human. We all can spare some money but that is not the only way to give.

When people lose a job or have a pay cut due to circumstances such as the corona virus pandemic it scares you right into prioritizing your spending. That special coffee drink you love or that pedicure seems less important. That beautiful outfit or shoes move down on the list. Going out for a meal is unnecessary when you have food in the fridge that will go bad if you don't use it.

But the other side of the coin is that we need to take care of ourselves and do things that make us feel good. And often times that means money. Getting a beauty treatment or a piece of jewelry that may make us feel happy then turns to guilt when the credit card bill is due.

This is NOT a guilt trip. There is absolutely NO judging here! It's always a bit of a dance between spending on necessities and niceties. So what does all this have to do with giving back? Well, I include other things besides money in giving back.  Here's what I mean.  Do you ever get that feeling inside when you've done something kind for someone else? Seeing someone smile because you helped them or included them or provided something for them? 

GRATITUDE

That's what I mean. The gratitude is worth the effort. I encourage you to think about what giving back means to you and how you can do something nice, or helpful for someone in your community. It starts where we live and who we see regularly that will make an impact you can see for your own eyes. I volunteered at a preschool for a year and it changed my outlook on what was possible because I could be there and assist the teachers and hand out snacks and drinks and sing songs and build block towers and do things that only needed me to be present. 

The problem is that there are so many that need help and it can be overwhelming to try to decipher what to do. Involvement brings us together, makes the unknown less 'scary' tightens the community, adds personal value and cooperation to things that are already happening around us. 

Being afraid is not a barrier to action if we don't let it be. If you prefer to bring a friend then that can make it less scary. If you observe something first before jumping in yourself that can also dampen the anxiety. Finding something that you can expose your children or nieces and nephews to is another way to build memories and give back.

8 WAYS TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
  • Volunteer in your community
  • Give the gift of life, donate blood
  • Give back through hobbies and skills
  • Give winter clothes to those in need
  • Donate to a food bank
  • Raise money while surfing the internet
  • Give back when you shop
  • Give the gift of knowledge

I want to believe that most people have good intentions and that giving back is a way to show unselfishly that they value others. Showing respect and honoring others with your humble assistance is the true value of giving back. 

This year as we move closer to the holiday season I hope that you will consider giving back in some way to others. You will be rewarded with so much more than you imagined you could!

ORGANIZATIONS TO CHECK OUT

Here are some more organizations to check out that don't require a monetary donation. See what works best for you and give it a try. I'm going to do the same. Let me know in the comments section below what you choose and how it goes!

There really is a LOT of good in the world and we can truly make a difference in someone's life. So let's find out more and do what we can to give back!

In humble gratitude,
Deana, Founder Bosisi Designs

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