Day Fourteen: Generosity of Spirit
Volunteer. I
was a Salvation Army bell ringer last winter and we worked the food line at The Our Center, a
“soup kitchen”, after Thanksgiving and on Christmas Eve last year. We volunteered for the Denver Pride parade
and Denver Comic Con this summer, and this was when we still lived in Longmont. so it required extra travel. So many events wouldn’t be possible if
not for the donation of time.
Food
pantry donations. Contributions to
America’s Second Harvest and your local food banks work right in your
community. You can also donate
non-perishable food items to homeless shelters, domestic
violence shelters and a variety of other collection sites, often times even your
local grocery stores.
Charitable
contributions. Do you have causes
close to your heart? If so, how about
donating $5, $10, $20?
Other ideas:
One warm summer day, a homeless person begging on the street was handed a
bottle of water from the person in the truck in front of me at the light. It made me think that buying a case of
bottled water and keeping some in your car to hand out just for that reason is
pretty darn thoughtful! Water is
life! On a pretty cold Sunday evening,
while Chris and I were sitting in a downtown Denver diner having coffee and
pie, Chris’s attention was drawn out the window. Shortly after, I realized that the homeless person we saw in
front of the diner had come inside. He
was seated at the counter, while a couple was telling the manager that they
were buying this man’s meal!!! (Yes, I
instantly teared up!!) Chris and I have
secretly purchased the meal for an elderly person dining alone. It’s been awhile since we have done that…I
think we need to survey our surroundings more closely the next time we have a
meal (or coffee & pie).
Feel
good moments: You like that coat on the other Starbucks customer? Tell her!
Remember how it makes you feel when someone, especially a stranger,
compliments you? Give someone else that
boost to her/his day! Wish a “Happy
Holiday,” “Merry Christmas,” “Seasons Greetings,” “Happy Winter Solstice” ~ the particular words don’t matter, the
sentiment, the act of wishing someone happiness, is where the magic lies!
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” ―
Aesop
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