I woke up this morning in the mood for a challenge.
I was in the mood, but not really in the right environment. We just got back from a weekend away, so the house was messy and the laundry was piled up. Last night my kids made a huge haul of candy which they have proceeded to drop wrappers from everywhere. It was a sit, sip coffee and enjoy the stupor type day and think about what type of challenge I wanted.
And then I saw this…
I knew that I had found my challenge. This exciting event was put together by a group of bloggers that have a vision to use social media to inspire extraordinary giving. The challenge is to be intentional in November and find ways to give of yourself…time, money, resources… yourself.
If you have a heart for giving, we invite you to join us from November 1 – 30, 2010 as we take giving to new heights, combining the efforts of thousands of people. We’ll be working together to bless our friends, family, neighbors, and complete strangers by making a conscious effort to give each day of November. And we’ll do it all for God’s glory!
I like to imagine myself as a fairly giving person by nature and I have certainly drug my family into various endeavors many times. In fact, as I mentioned it to the kids one immediately said, “No way – you make our family do much more stuff than any of my friends.” The other child astutely said, “You might as well agree, she’s gonna make us do it anyway.”
As you can see, they are clearly on-board.
The thing I have found is that giving is contagious. As you give, you wanna give more. As you see those around you give, you are inspired and new ideas pop into your head. There is a rush that comes with recognizing that you have made a difference and a peace that fills in the tired places when you’ve given your all. Suddenly tomorrow looks brighter cause you are making a new plan to bless someone else. So, while my family might grumble, this challenge is just the competitive incentive we need to get the ball rolling.
How can you give? There are lots of ways and the website even offers a great list of places that are doing incredible work around the world and could use your dollars. Any one of these awesome organizations would love for you to make a one time or ongoing donation. I think that’s important – giving money. It is incredibly important that those of us who have been blessed with much share with those who have the least.
But, sometimes money is the easy route. It’s pretty simple to write a check or egive to an organization. So, while I will certainly examine that list; I am challenging myself to think beyond simple, anonymous money. What resources do I have that I could give? Who in my life needs encouragement? Is there a monetary need that I could meet in my neighborhood? What talents, or skills or unique ability do I have that would bless someone else? What will I not miss that will make someones day. Or the flip-side, what will cost me dearly in the moment but will change someones life?
These are the questions that make it a challenge. How can I be a blessing to my world?
Wanna join me? Leave a comment and let me know you are in. If you have a blog, you can join the challenge here.You can like it on facebook. You could even call a friend and mention it. Every-body’s welcome! Let’s see how we can be used to change our little world!
