Pay It Forward, November 2010
Janet LaBerge
November, more than any other month, is a time that has me reflecting on the year and counting my blessings. I have met so many giving, kind people through SSWBN. Those experiences alone give worth to the price of admission for me every year.
The older I get, the more I understand that the people I have in my life are far more valuable than any of the things that I have acquired. I think that this recession has been a good thing in many ways, because people have been forced to re-evaluate how they spend their money and their time. When we let go of the time, money and effort it takes to chase after material goods, it can open up those resources to connect with the people around us.
I would like to share with you a story that I find inspirational. Reed is a 36-year-old man who lost his job in October of 2009. Instead of feeling ungrateful or wallowing in self pity, he decided that he would give away $10 a day for a year and write about his experience. Please visit his website at: http://yearofgiving.org. This is from his home page: “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.”
As a network, let’s continue to work together to achieve those same goals for our members and our community.
Happy to lead with fun and humility,
Janet
Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap
Dirtydeedsddc04@hotmail.com
Pay It Forward Tip for November: When making your Thanksgiving plans, think about inviting a neighbor or a friend who may not have family in the area. No one should spend Thanksgiving alone. If we are fortunate enough to have family, friends and enough food on our table, it is a great way to show thanks for those blessings by sharing it with someone who doesn’t.
