Powered by Mom says it’s time to stop sitting idly by. #GivingTuesday #GivingTuesday
With all the craziness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping I think that all too often we get caught up in that craziness and forget to think about what we’re thankful for and how we can give forward. It’s ironic if you think about it that the Black Friday shopping, sometimes trampling and general craziness comes after the day when those in the US are celebrating what they’re thankful for and appreciating family.
It’s because of such craziness that the day of Giving Tuesday came about. A day to remember to give, in whatever way you can, and to teach your kids and your family members to give too. I was recently given a link to a wonderful blog post that reminds us all to not sit idly by and encourages us to give forward now, not later, not maybe but now. You can read that blog post HERE, it also talks about bystander apathy, what it is and what we can do to turn that around.
Sometimes we think that we have to do some grand gesture in order to give forward, but when you think about it that’s not true. It’s the little things that count and can make a difference. Smile at someone if they look grumpy or just because. Buy that cup of coffee for the person who looks like they could really use it. Donate a couple of non-perishable food items to you local food bank, donate your time or items to a pet shelter.
There are so many “small” gestures that we can do that can mean a lot to someone, some animal and to the world itself, we all can give forward in our own way, there’s nothing stopping us but ourselves. Some of the things I personally do are to donate to local pet shelters and food banks. As well on Powered by Mom if you’ve been to my Facebook page you know that I consistently post about abused animals, helping animals and just spreading the word on how we can help in our own way.
So on this Giving Tuesday think about how you can Give Forward in your own way, no gesture or act is too small when it’s an act of giving.
Tamra Phelps says
This is a great idea. I hope people have money left after all that spending!
laura rubenstein says
This is a great idea 🙂 We should pay it forward as often as we can
bichonpawz says
Great Message and one that is very important and all too often…forgotten about.
Katie Ellis says
This is the first I’ve heard of giving Tuesday but will start giving back.
lisa says
That’s really nice. This time of year people seem to be wrapped up in what they want. We all need to remember to do something for others.
Shannon says
I try to give out small gifts at XMAS at least. Thank you for this post.
Amanda Matheny says
This is a great message. I try to help out when I can. I’m on a limited income right now as a single mom and full-time college student, so I rarely give financially, but I do try to spread important messages, give good advice when possible, and whatever else I can. I’ve even had people compliment me on my advice. Several people have told me my Dos and Don’ts of Dating a Single Parent blog post is great advice and there have been a few others. My blog is still small, but growing, and there are definitely a few posts that have proven more popular than others, particularly the ones that people have found helpful, so even though I can’t donate to charity or anything like that, I still find ways to help. I actually have donated non-financially to charities too though. When my son was a baby, I pumped milk for him and donated the extra to a local milk bank, and every 2 years I cut my hair and donate it to Locks of Love. For Christmas, I don’t really have the money to give something to every person in my family, but the adults and older children understand, so I am making handmade gifts for all of the young children, 3 and under, in my family, and there are 8 of them not including my son. We don’t see any of them, but I wanted to mail them all gifts anyway. Well now I’m getting a little long winded, but still, great post.
Sarah Kurtz says
I love this! I can barely afford to live but do try to help those less fortunate. Even if it’s just a dollar. My 5yr old daughter will talk to a homeless person and I can see the happiness in both their eyes. Every small gesture counts.
Lisa Schweizer says
Each day I try to do a little something to pay it forward and share a random act of kindness. If everyone would try to do this, the world would be a better place 🙂
Sarah L says
I’ll be doing Colorado Cares day on 12/9 – that’s my giving day.
Vickie Marks Allbright says
i love this and i am def gonna start this asap
loucheryl says
Whomever thought of this right before Christmas was very smart!
Michele Ash says
Thank you so very much for telling all of us about Giving Tuesday. To be honest, This is the first I’ve heard about this. I used to only be on facebook when I first started out and I always posted and reposted about the animals and how they needed to be saved, rescued, adopted, or fostered! I’m not too much on facebook anymore because I’m desperately trying to win Christmas Gifts for my family through the Giveaways and Sweepstakes. I know that may sound bad, however, We just cannot afford to purchase anything. My husband wasn’t working for a very long time after his surgery and now he’s having other problems. He may need to have another operation, which means no work again. I just don’t know how we’ll get by if he does. We are barely making it as it is. If I would have known about today, I would have gone to the local shelter and volunteered my time and I’ve also been gathering old towels and blankets to give to them when I get the chance. Thanks so much for helping out these poor “fur babies” that people just don’t seem to care about. It just absolutely breaks my heart every single time I hear that a dog is on the list to be put down if someone doesn’t get him out of the shelter by noon the next day! I’ve posted so many of these while crying my eyes out! If I could afford it and if I had the room, I surely would save as many as I could! We do have a rescue dog and she’s a good girl. We have no idea when her birthday is or actually how old she really is, however, we celebrate her birthday on her “coming home” day! Anyway, thanks again for everything you do! I truly do appreciate the information and I also appreciate what you do to help the animals and people alike! Michele 🙂
Mare W says
This is a good reminder. It is a good daily practice and you get a blessing out of it when no one knows what you do, who it came from, etc.
Dorothy Boucher says
I think this is such a wonderful idea and such a blessing to even give thanks to whom ever or even thanks for you , thanks for sharing will pass this on
sherry butcher says
I love helping animals and just spreading the word on how we can help in our own way. Every day. TFS.
Dana Stargazer Truitt says
I wish every day could be Giving Tuesday, the world would be a better place if everyone could be Giving every day!!
Deborah D says
This is such a good program.
Kim says
My children have been helping me with a Food Drive. It has been a good way to teach them to appreciate everything they have and to hopen their eyes to how little others have.
Heather in VA says
Acts of service is one of my big moral lessons for my children. I volunteer at the local library and my oldest daughter volunteers with me at a local historical site. There have been times when I have needed to be given to and times when I have been able to give. I’m never embarrassed to receive because I am always ready to give.
Kimberly B says
What a great idea. So often people get too busy and caught up in everyday life that we forget to stop and pay attention to what’s going on around us. It’s wonderful to be able to do something for someone else without ever expecting anything in return. It’s often those small gestures that are appreciated the most.