100 Days of Giving

Have you heard of the “give it 100” challenge? It’s a popular call to action that encourages participants to select a skill and practice it for 100 days, documenting the process.  The idea is to promote personal growth and encouragement.  One great twist on this concept is to focus on 100 days of giving and how the practice can enhance your spiritual growth.

One of the greatest gifts is the act of giving itself. Blessing others helps foster and nourish a deeper sense of connection so often missing in today’s self-centered world.  Conscious giving also gives deeper meaning and purpose to life.

The goal of the challenge is to develop a habit of helping others through giving resources, money or your time.  What we put forward into the world is returned to us.  Those who are generous and giving, find the world itself to be a much kinder place.

Use your talents and skills to assist others in unusual and meaningful ways. It will enrich the lives of all involved.

Here are some examples of purposeful and powerful giving.

Someone with artistic ability could design a logo for a non-profit, or someone who is starting his/her first business who may not have the money to hire a professional.

Someone who enjoys cooking might enjoy preparing meals for the homeless at a shelter, or taking something homemade to a senior center or anywhere others would thoroughly enjoy it.

Someone who can sing or play an instrument might gift others through musical performance.  Music can be soothing and healing and is often welcome in senior centers, nursing homes and even Children’s hospitals.

Someone who loves gardening could volunteer to set up a community garden or teach others to grow their own food.  This provides a great service, brings people together and can help those with limited incomes reduce their food expenditures.

Don’t feel you have a talent or skill that’s in demand? Try simply volunteering and donating. Give money to a local food bank or charity to ensure your gift assists those within your own community.  Although monetary gifts are always appreciated; there is nothing that will provide the rewards of being directly involved.

Spend time in a local animal shelter; volunteer to spend time with a lonely senior or sign up for Project Read and help someone better their own circumstances through the gift of reading.  If you have ever dealt with the pain of loss due to terminal illness; consider helping another family in their darkest hour by volunteering for Hospice.  There are so many truly beautiful ways to give to others.

There are many noble and meaningful ways to give that will help you grow as an individual, as surely as it will benefit those you serve. You’ll feel empowered and recognize just how much of a difference one person can make.  You may even inspire others to take on their own 100 days of giving challenge.