by Jenna Pope

Created on: March 02, 2010

Giving is how we move beyond ourselves and think about the needs and desires of other people.  This is important because our society is extremely self-centered and unbalanced.

Why Not Think About Self?

Sure, it’s important to take care of our own needs and wants, and there is nothing wrong with that.  But while we are fulfilling our wants, we can get carried away in putting all of our energy into nonessential items when there are people close by who have nothing.  We’ve become desensitized to poverty, suffering, and neediness.

It’s More Than Money:

Giving is more than parting with our money - it’s also about becoming aware of the needs of other people less fortunate and making a few of them our priority.  I’m not talking about giving our time, energy and dinero to helping the person who can help himself, but doesn’t. (There are lots of those people around also.)  I’m referring to the truly needy people living all around us. 

Here are some ways to help with your time, talents and treasures:

*             Be a reader for your library’s story-time for toddlers and preschoolers;

*             Visit a few people in a local convalescent hospital who are rarely visited by family;

*             Save grocery coupons and give the money you save to the City of Hope to help an uninsured child get life-saving treatment;

*             Regularly call a housebound friend to brighten her day;

*             Volunteer your time at a soup kitchen;

*             Are you really good at something?  Volunteer your talents to a cause where you can utilize what you already know.  I have a certificate in alcohol and drug counseling.  I volunteer to help recovering addicts and alcoholics learn to face life sober.  My efforts are especially effective because of my training.  I develop a special bond with each person I help; 

*             Volunteer for your church’s food pantry.  Ours provides groceries for 300 families per week;

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