In today’s world, it’s all too easy to think about the things we want and the things we don’t have. Content creators on social media often encourage us to buy trending items on TikTok Shop, incessantly reminding us to buy more and to “treat ourselves.” Our friends and family often post about their new cars and houses.
We all want to share our success, our beautiful new purse, or new hairdo. Rarely are we reminded of our capability to give, and the importance of being thankful for all that we have. As much as self-care, treating ourselves, and taking care of our families is necessary, so is remembering to give, to be grateful, and to take care of those around us.
Gratitude doesn’t cost us anything, doesn’t take much time, and is such an important part of our well-being. Getting swept up in comparisons and worrying about all of the things we want but can’t afford or can’t have will make us miserable and leave us feeling eternally unsatisfied.
Have you ever read a story about a tragedy someone else was facing, and it reminded you that maybe you don’t have it so badly? I encourage you to start remembering you don’t have it so badly without that tragic reminder. Practicing gratitude more often, on our own without grim reminders, has a powerful effect on our minds and bodies. It has the power to change our entire perspective of the world. Who doesn’t need a little bit of that?
When you’re feeling down or find yourself focusing too much on all that’s negative in your life, thinking about all the good does help. When you feel that you don’t have anything good, think about what you have that someone else doesn’t. I can assure you, you have something someone else would be grateful for.
At the very least, if you’re reading this, you have life, you have sight, you have the capability to read and comprehend. These are all things to be grateful for. At the very least, I’m always grateful to you, the readers, for taking the time to read a piece I’ve written.
I’m sure some of you are wondering how you can give if you don’t feel like you have anything to offer. Again, I can guarantee that you do. Typically, we associate money or objects with giving, but these methods are not always feasible, especially in today’s economy. Some rely on food banks for meals, or live paycheck to paycheck and have no money to spare, understandably. The important thing to remember about giving is that it’s about so much more than money. It’s about giving back, doing good, and the impact you have on others.
When we don’t have objects or money to give, we have time and we have kindness. To me, these methods mean more than money anyway. If you don’t have all the time in the world to volunteer to coach your kid’s sports team or commit to a constant schedule, volunteer on your schedule, whether that means once a year on GivingTuesday, once a month, or whatever you can do. If you can’t do that, you still have kindness to give. Take a second out of your day to do something kind for someone in your community.
Sometimes we can give monetarily but feel the amount and the item we can donate isn’t good enough. I assure you that someone out there will appreciate what you have to offer. Whether it’s adding $1 to your total at check out for whatever charity is listed, donating $5 on a GoFundMe for a person or family in need, or parting with a bag of clothes your child has outgrown, someone somewhere will appreciate your donation.
Gratitude and giving are powerful tools — use them. Once a year, once a month, once a day, whatever it is. Even when you feel like you have nothing, don’t let the darkness cloud your mind. Let the light in and remember that you do have many things to be thankful for.
Remember that you have the ability to shine a light on others when they are in dark places. The world is dark and twisted, but we don’t have to be.
Read CityView magazine’s “Giving” November 2024 e-edition here.
