10 Day Give Wrap Up

Wow, October is off to a busy start in our house. I’ve been meaning to share some thoughts on the 10 Day Give. I love the idea of this project, I love how it’s to encourage us to intentionally think about others and how we can give and serve them. Some of my choices to give included volunteering, sending food to a friend on bedrest, giving toys and monetary gifts.

At first I wondered how I could really participate in the project. I spend at least a day or two a week within my own home, only stepping out to check the mail or to throw the kids on the school bus. So, I decided those were the days I would turn my attention inward, to my family. I’m a really techie person at heart, so having electronics, especially e-mail and Twitter, at my fingertips is the norm. So for me, to shut those things off and to give my children undivided time was a very conscious choice. With children with ‘love languages‘ of “acts of service” and “quality time”, these actions were really meaningful to them.

What surprised me most about my first time participating in the 10 Day Give was how easy it was. A few days in, hadn’t given it much thought, but realized that without even trying, I had already given something tangible each day. That was a real shock to me. The actions themselves were small, most didn’t involve much more than what I do daily to care for my family. The funds involved were not extravagant, nothing that could not have been recouped (if necessary) by choosing to give up a luxury item or two. You know what I’m talking about, those lattes or that extra carton of ice cream you don’t really need in your freezer or around your waist.

Sure, in the future, I’d love to be the gal that goes around giving large cash bills with a few zeros on them to strangers, but that’s not my life right now. More importantly, that’s not what I’m called to do in life right now. It’s no secret that I feel very strongly about relationships. Communication and interaction with people on a sincere level is incredibly important to me, so that’s the primary way my 10 Day Give activities were manifested.

The other surprising thing to me was how much I’ve changed. I never would call myself generous or giving. On the contrary, I’ve always thought my husband was, by his nature, more generous than I am. What surprised me was at the progress I’ve made over time as I’ve worked on being more aware of others, their needs and how I can help. I’m not perfect, I wouldn’t even say I’m great at giving, but I’m getting better.

I’d love to hear  how you gave in the 10 Day Give or are planning on giving during the upcoming holiday season.