December 9, 2019
The Gift That Keeps Giving
It’s that time of year again. I just love the holidays!!!
Why? Well it’s the season where we express two major “G” terms: GRATITUDE and GIVING.
Can you imagine what the holidays would be like without expressing gratitude or “giving back” being such a major part of it? It isn’t something that some of us jump up for immediately and too many of us are focused on our day to day hustle and bustle to even consider the thought of giving back.
Volunteering and giving back to your community is so much more than just meeting some school or organization requirement(s). It’s an incredibly rewarding, and life-changing experience. Some people believe that you have to be rich or have tons of time to give back. However, that couldn’t be truer. You don’t need to be loaded to help. What you need is a heart of kindness, the sense of caring, and motivation.
PARTYING WITH A PURPOSE
By now you should know it is no secret that I like to help others. Personally, I feel like it’s a part of my responsibility in this world to give back. Giving back is where you give, and then you don’t expect anything back in return. No benefits for you, no recognition, nothing substantial gets sent your way. Your biggest reward is the realization that you’ve made a momentous difference and positive change in someone’s life.
If you know me personally, you should know that I’m a social butterfly and I’m always down for attending a social event especially a themed party (more of a reason to get dressed up :)). A few years back, the holidays were quickly approaching, and I had the idea to host an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. Now anytime I, myself or my sisters host an event, we usually bring out the crowd. So, with the party in mind and being in the spirit of giving, I figured we could turn the Ugly Sweater Party into a “Party with a Purpose” brunch. And that’s exactly what we did. We reached out to several local charities and organizations and from there, we partnered with a local homeless shelter to help fulfill the needs they so desired. Since then, we’ve made an effort to implement this as our way of giving back every year around the holidays by asking our family and friends to donate toiletries, clothes, and shoes, for a Women and Children’s Shelter in the Atlanta metro area.
From this event, we were able to provide the Women and Children’s Shelter with an assortment of toys, clothes, and hygiene products. More importantly, we were able to provide support to someone- something a person needed to get back on their feet, to find a fresh start, and have hope for the future.
The feeling of kindness, humanity, and a sense of appreciation somehow awakens when we give to people. There is nothing greater to center our focus in this world than understanding just how much we have to be grateful for. This comes from being in direct contact with the act of giving to people who are less fortunate than ourselves.
GIVING BACK THROUGH MY BELOVED SORORITY
Another avenue I use as a source to “Give Back” and serve my community is through my beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. Since joining the organization in 2005, I’ve participated in a countless number of volunteer and community service projects.
Perfect example: Just this year and alongside with my fellow Chapter sorors, we collected over 1,000 pairs of gently worn shoes for one of our program targets that will be used to donate to children and adults in less developed countries through partnerships with international organizations. Similarly, we collected pillowcases and used them to make dresses for little girls and shirts for little boys. The pillowcase dresses and shirts will be sent to under-served international areas as well to provide clothing for children in need that will enable them to attend school and go about their daily lives with the dignity of the basic necessity of clothing.
So, you see, when you are engaged in philanthropic and humanitarian activities you somehow can’t help but be touched as a human being. Your emotional awareness increases, your care and consideration for others is awakened and you are exposed to new and different people. You will grow ultimately as a person.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT ONE OF ATLANTA’S PREMIERE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Just last month, I was invited as a special guest to be the keynote speaker for Year Up Greater Atlanta annual Women’s’ Conference. The theme was ElevateHER: How to Empower and Elevate Women in the Workplace. Not only was I able to introduce this platform, I was able to tell my story and share my journey, in hopes of inspiring their young budding professionals. In that moment and even now, I want YOU, my readers and followers to know that your dreams aren’t too big. YOU are more than enough. YOU have the POWER to do and be ANYHTING your heart so desires. My heart was so full from this particular event and I felt such gratification afterwards because I know for certain I had touched someone’s life and that I made a difference.
A CHEERFUL GIVER
The attitude behind “Giving Back” really matters. There is a huge difference between buying stuff that you feel (or are) obligated to, and purposefully (and cheerfully) giving something to another person. The bible teaches us that is better to give than to receive. So, if you need a little boost to your giving attitude this year and the year to come, do a little meditating on some of my favorite scriptures below.
2 Corinthians 9: 6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:11
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Proverbs 11:25
The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.
Do you feel a personal responsibility to help others?
Giving isn’t just about making a donation. It is about making a difference. Giving back to your community through non-profit organizations, volunteer groups, charity or other means does so much to help those in need and contribute to the common good. You can give back in many different ways. No matter how you do it, giving back to your community will touch many people’s lives. Whether it’s making a charitable donation to support a cause, volunteering at a local event, or helping a neighbor. Even the smallest good deed can awaken change and positively impact the community by providing a renewed sense of hope.
Motivational Tip: You have two hands. One to help yourself. The second to help others.
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