The concept is simple. I will give $10 to a different person every day for a year. I will write about the people who I intersect with as well as the truly altruistic experience that I am sure to have! I recently lost my job at a nonprofit organization due to the economic climate so taking on this endeavor may not seem fiscally prudent. However, I think it is exactly these times that we must focus on helping others. I started the Year of Giving on December 15th in memory of my mother who lost her long battle with heart disease on this day in 2006. She was a true altruist. She always thought of others before herself.
My goal is not to change the lives of those with whom I come in contact. Let’s face it, $10 dollars is not going to change someone’s life in and of itself. I do believe, however, that the act of giving will hopefully inspire others to pursue the ideals that the French philosopher Auguste Comte envisioned when he coined the term “altruism.” Whether that comes in the form of someone who reads this blog and wants to embark on their own Year of Giving or someone who uses the $10 to help someone else out, the specific results are less important than the overall good that we can achieve together.
The stories are really inspiring, encouraging, eye opening and sometimes a little sad but mostly they are rewarding. Giving back, making a difference, helping others. All things we try to teach our kids to do as well as reminding ourselves how important it is for us to do this too. Making a difference in someone's life. Is there anything better? Reed is certainly walking the walk.
There are so many stories out there, so much love, if we just take the time to ask and learn and care. Enjoy the blog. The Year of Giving
