So, my dear friend Jill called me tonight and we got to talking about giving. We determined that generosity is a really good way to combat the self-pity, and other unpleasant emotions, for that matter, that sometimes take hold of each of us. That’s right, giving makes us feel better. This is one of the basic tenants of living a good life and yet something that’s so easily forgotten. As someone once put it, it is better to give than to receive. I think another way to look at it is that giving IS receiving.

Anyway, before I knew it, I had agreed to partake in a month-long give-a-thon with Jill, committing myself to give something to someone everyday and to write about it.

Even though we just decided to do this, technically, today is Day 2. It is December 2nd today, and we both happened to have given something yesterday, so it just makes sense to retro-start on December 1st. And that way, we get to give during the whole month of December, which, as a month, seems quite appropriate. We are like Santa’s little helpers.

Or not. That doesn’t seem quite right. Regardless, ‘tis the season.

To me this project is about focusing my attention on finding opportunities to give that I would ordinarily miss, either willfully or just out of ignorance. Sometimes I feel like I can’t give because I don’t have enough. This month, I will really make an effort not to buy into that idea. I will try to keep this Anne Frank quote in mind: “No one has ever become poor by giving.”

Sooo…

Yesterday, I gave some cash to a homeless woman outside of Whole Foods, and in return she gave me a paper, The Denver Voice. I think that project is awesome. It was nice to speak with her. Zoe started to cry a bit as we left so I said to Zoe, within earshot of the woman, “Don’t worry, we’ll see her again.” And the woman said, “Oh, don’t frown, you’ll see me again.” And I hope we do because I would like to give her more.

And today, after Jill and I made this plan, I had to come up with something quick. I was listening to NPR, and they happened to be doing a two-hour matching-funds drive for the Colorado Symphony. The symphony members themselves were matching funds, dollar for dollar. So I called them up and gave them some moolah. And that felt good. I do hope the symphony sticks around: CSO.

I would like to say thank you to Jill for giving me the gift of giving (which is receiving). This feels challenging and worthwhile and also fun. Thanks friend.