I love this time of year! If that sounds a little trite, sorry about that. As I was thinking about Thanksgiving and the multitudinous (yes, that many) things that I have to be thankful for, I also thought about the last part of that word, the “giving” part. While I know that Lincoln set aside the fourth Thursday in November as a specific day in which Americans could gather and thank their Creator for His generous beneficence, tonight I’m concentrating on giving, not just on giving thanks but on giving in general.
A few years ago I read an editorial that contained the phrase “seasonal belch of philanthropy.” I recall staring at the words and actually feeling somewhat offended by them. Why? Because they rang true. There’s just something about this season that makes me feel a little kinder, generous, and more tolerant. But why does it just have to last for a few weeks? Why does it have to be a “seasonal belch” that begins fading on December 26th and pretty much disappears by March?
I don’t know the answers to those questions, but I’ve decided that beginning tomorrow, I’m going to be more purposely giving everyday. I will consciously seek opportunities to speak encouraging words, pay compliments, smile, buy lunch for a friend, or better yet, buy a stranger’s lunch who happens to be behind me in a drive through. Maybe if I do it often enough and long enough, my philanthropy won’t be seasonal.
What about you? Will you join me on this “mission?” Maybe we could share our stories at day’s end.
mom's musings 
Amen! and of course I’ll join you! I’m the lady everyone thinks is a nut for always being concerned…;-) God Bless Your Heart and Good Thoughts for others.
Uh oh. Here it is 6:38 in the evening, and I can’ t think of a single good deed I’ve done today. Sure, I was “nice” and tolerant, and I even opened the door for someone, but I’m struggling here to remember something extraordinary. Well, the day isn’t done yet so I’m sure I’ll come up with something. What was your giving act?I KNOW you’re ahead of me on this.
Oh, I doubt I’m ever ahead! Most of my time is spent in solitary… that sounds bad (I’m not in prison;-) but it’s not!
Does giving a neighbor gas money count? Isn’t the need overwhelming? She is a widow with three children who rarely asks for help. She is a fine, wonderful, strong Christian lady and I feel so blessed to have a neighbor like her. Hmmm…who’s helping who? ;-))
You know, it does count that you opened the door for someone, especially if you spoke and/or smiled!
A girl a few years older than me once told me that it always made her feel so good that I spoke to her when she walked home from the bus stop…Wow! A teenager said that to me! lol I got a blessing from being kind!
Actually, isn’t that a LDS commercial that exemplifies reciprocation? I love that commercial!!
Blessings to You, Jayne.
Time to check in about that act of generosity. I’m not sure whether this counts or not, but I treated my son to lunch today and agreed to go for the appetizer too. That’s pretty generous, right? Tomorrow I’m going to be better at this and deliberately do something for someone outside of my family.