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The Joy of Giving

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Our four-year-old son throws a fit when we mention giving away something that he considers his own. It can be a broken toy that he hasn’t touched in months, but as soon as I try to throw it away or give it to someone else—the dam holding back the crocodile tears breaks loose!

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Something inside all of us feeds this hoarder mentality. I hope you survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday without any concussions or remorse over the amount of debt accumulated. Sadly, this year Black Friday continued its encroachment into Thanksgiving day with many stores opening Thanksgiving evening.

What a reputation we Americans now have with news reports of stampedes and brawls on Black Fridays just to get the latest electronic or fadish toy. It’s not very flattering.

Gratefully, more and more are fighting against the siren call to buy, Buy, BUY! A few years ago Advent Conspiracy, from a Christian worldview, began encouraging people to Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All.

Then in 2012 two organizations, 92Y and the UN Foundation, began Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. Giving Tuesday is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The concept behind Giving Tuesday is simple. Give. Give money, time, expertise, goodwill—whatever you have or are willing to give to help someone else.

For many, December already traditionally is a time to give. But for an increasing number of people giving is a foreign concept; something that “wealthy” people do.

If you want to start giving this Giving Tuesday, start small. For example, a non-profit that I serve with as a board member, Partners in Hope Lake Travis, has a goal of enlisting 25 new monthly donors that agree to give at least $25 per month. That is one Starbuck coffee drink a week. Or skipping one lunch at a restaurant a week. A small price to pay so that you can help a family in need.

I know you can find plenty of other good causes to give to like Partners in Hope if that one is not for you.

The point is to experience the joy of giving! That joy will last longer than any emotion you experience from a gift you get or buy for yourself. I guarantee that!

 What other good cause do you recommend?

About the Author

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I am a longtime Austinite. Married my beautiful wife over 35 years ago. Adopted our son September 2012.
As a small business and nonprofit coach/consultant, I have found my sweet spot. I lean on my varied background of corporate, small business ownership, writing, and pastoring as I work to help small business owners and nonprofit founders build the business they want to have.


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