Advice for My Daughter

Tag: giving

  • Do What’s Right | Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

    Do What’s Right | Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

    Throughout your life, you will find yourself in situations where you can make a choice to do what’s right or do what’s easy.

    Choose doing the right thing as often as possible.

    Choosing what’s right can be small:

    • Holding the door open for the mom with the stroller
    • Letting the cashier know that she gave you too much change
    • Telling the truth when you spill something on the couch
    • Checking the tags on the stray dog and helping to find her home

    Choosing what’s right can also be huge:

    • Standing up for a friend when everyone is picking on them
    • Letting someone speak their mind, even if you don’t agree with it
    • Fighting for someone’s rights, because they are being wronged

    As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I want you to know the importance of being good in all things that you do. He fought, peacefully, for the rights of African Americans, yes, but for also the rights of all human beings. When we put one group of people inside of box and treat them differently, it hurts everyone.

    When you have something to say, say it politely, but adamantly. Defend people who need defending. Be kind when kindness is desperately needed.

    Be honest.

    Be good.

    Be helpful.

    Do the right thing when the right thing is hard to do. You will never regret doing the right thing, but doing the wrong thing may haunt you forever.

     

    My book suggestions on equality and kindness:
       

  • Expand Your Greatness Outward

    Expand Your Greatness Outward

    The term “ego” is often used when referring to someone who is self-centered or self-focused. There is, however, a different way of looking at it.

    The ego represents the self and how you distinguish yourself from other people. All of us are distinct and all of us have unique talents. I prefer to think of ego as “Expanding Greatness Outward.”

    Your talents are a gift. Don’t hide them. Don’t minimize them.

    Celebrate the abilities that you have been given by sharing them with others.

    Teach.

    If you write, write regularly so others can learn from you.

    If you are joyful, pick other people up when they are sad or lonely.

    If you are good at finances, help those who aren’t.

    If you know something that someone else doesn’t, tell them. Don’t squander your knowledge.

    And don’t ever, ever, ever hide your abilities.

    Discover what makes you unique and sprinkle a little bit of it everywhere you go. Honor your talents by sharing them with others.

    Expand your greatness outward.

  • Give Privately

    Give Privately

    When people need help, help them whenever you can. If a friend is going through a hard time, give them a hand up. Give to your church, your neighbors, your friends, and to people worlds away whom you’ve never met.

    Whether you give big or give small, there is one secret that I want to share about giving: keep it private.

    Why?

    Because giving is something you do to help someone who needs it. The reward is the joy that THEY receive, not the recognition that YOU receive. Giving is the reward.

    Send money to a friend dealing with a health issue….and don’t tell anyone that you did it.

    Buy breakfast for the homeless man you see on the way to work every day…and don’t tell your co-workers.

    You’ll notice that it feels different when you give without receiving external validation. It’s like a little secret between you and the recipient. A happy secret.

    Be the kind of person who helps when you see a need. Help because it’s who you are, not because of what you get.

    Give regularly.

    Give thoughtfully.

    Give.

     

  • Give Generously of Your Time and Your Money

    Give Generously of Your Time and Your Money

    I want you to be successful in life. Not so that you can buy lots of stuff, but because the more you make, the more you can give.

    I just finished the book, “A Path Appears” by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn and it was nothing short of life-changing. Although the book sells for less than $20, it is quite possibly the most expensive book I’ve ever purchased because on every page, I was inspired to reach out to someone else…to help one more person.

    “Just because we can’t help everyone doesn’t mean that we should help no one.”

    — A Path Appears

    I was raised with the belief that we should help those who need it. It’s what makes us human and what makes our lives worth living.

    Yesterday you came home with a note from school that you are collecting food for local families that need it. We immediately opened our pantry and filled a bag with food. We did this to help people in our neighborhood today, but we also did it so that you will help people all over the world for the rest of your life.

    I want you to see that what we have been given, is meant to be shared. We share our food, our home, our love, our money, out time and our talents. Whatever we have been given, is to be shared with those who need it.

    I don’t want you to walk out into the world blindly and giving everything away without thought. As with everything in life, do your research. Be thorough. And then give where it feels right.

    “If you’re buying a large-screen television, you’ll probably conduct a bit of research to make sure you get your money’s worth. Do the same with your donations.”

    — A Path Appears

    If the mom in front of you at the grocery store is a couple dollars short to pay for food for her kids, help her out. Don’t make a big deal about it. Do it quietly and without fanfare.

    If a friend is driving through town and needs a place to stay, offer your couch.

    If you see a cause either domestically or globally that angers you, give them your time and expertise.

    Be kind.

    Be generous.

    Give what you have to give, no matter how small. You’d be surprised at how valuable a smile can be to someone who really needs it. (tweet this)

     

    Note: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link

    Image by Kris