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giving happiness global impact

Day 149: Take a Friend to Lunch

Today’s GIVE was to a dear friend that needed some Mommy advice. Opportunities come up to GIVE in all kinds of ways and today I was GIVING to a friend that needed some support.

Day 149: Give 149

My girlfriend just announced she was pregnant with twins. Her first. Ouch. One is enough for most of us at a time, but two can feel over whelming. She needed to have a chat with a friend that would not over whelm her with advice and take some time to be grounded and “in the moment” with her and her “blessings” growing in her tummy.

I will never forget the day I held my son in my arms for the first time. You can plan all you want and try to figure it all out before they arrive but you never know what it’s going to be like for you until you bring your babies home. I am an adoptive mother and only had a few days to prepare for my son before he came home. I consider it a blessing that I didn’t have time to buy to much “stuff” and get over whelmed with advice from family and friends. We just took a deep breath and jumped into parenthood. We discovered what we needed as we went along and figured out how to be parents in the best way we knew how.

My girlfriend was having a hard time as she was trying to “plan” it all and was getting overwhelmed trying to figure it all out. I told her to just enjoy being pregnant – sick days and all. Talk to her babies that were growing inside her and enjoy the quiet time she had with them as they grew. Even though I never went through a pregnancy with my son I used to take long walks dreaming of the day I would be a parent. The glorious moments of cuddling with them, watching them ride a bike for the first time, the first day of school and even the day they graduate. I miss those days now that I have him running around my feet all the time.

So my GIVE today was buying my girlfriend lunch and giving her the time to talk about how she felt. Sometimes it’s just what we need.

How can you help a friend today even if it’s just taking the time to listen.

Time Commitment: 1.5 hours

Cost: lunch!

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)