Set quarterly ‘give back’ calendar reminders to keep giving back on your priority list throughout the year. This could be one day every quarter spent volunteering, or cleaning out your closets and cupboards and donating the items to a local shelter or simply making a monetary donation to your favorite charity.
If you’ve ever ‘adopted a family’ for the holidays which is very popular to
help provide food and toys for
families who cannot afford it -
think of other times
throughout the year that
same family might need
your help. Maybe you
adopt them for a full
year? What about
school supplies and
basic essentials like a
comfortable pair of
shoes right before
schoolstarts? How about
some donations toward
things like annual physical
exams that are so important
for maintaining good health?
There’s always the ‘pay it forward’
concept. I can’t get enough of paying it forward, and I’m surprised by the number of people I know who have never had a chance to experience this. I’ve been lucky enough to have a highway toll paid for me one time and a cup of coffee another. It absolutely made my day both times and I was so excited I couldn’t wait to do the same for someone else! The person behind you in line may or may not be ‘in need’ per se, but I don’t think we need any scientific research to prove that the world is a better place when we focus on trying to make each other smile. Maybe give yourself a calendar reminder to do this for at least one person every month.
I’m sure these examples alone already have you thinking of other simple things you can do throughout the year to spread the love. There is something truly magical about what we call the holiday spirit. Just imagine if that spirit was alive and thriving the whole year through.