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Day 293: It’s Easy to Give When It’s Hot Hot Hot!

It’s easy to give no matter where you are or what time of year it is. Do you know that song “Feeling Hot Hot Hot?” That is Toronto right now. I’m talking Canada. Since visiting here the temperature has only been rising. Today it felt like 40C and by tomorrow it will feel like 48C. Today I was running around trying to get some last minute work items completely in the downtown core and I found the perfect way to give when it is so hot you want you don’t even want to go outside.

Day 293: Give 293

I am in Toronto working on a large fundraising event I am producing tomorrow. It’s what I do for a living and event production is a high stress job. I work on this event for months in Vancouver than fly into Toronto a few days before the function and pull it all together. It means my phone never stops ringing, the emails come in faster than I can answer them and I have many last minute details to finish. Giving is not on my top 25 list of things to do the day before an event. It’s 10:30 at night and I am just getting my post done for the day. Only 14 hours behind schedule. Do you have days like this? Do you wonder how you will get it all done?

Today a give presented it self and I walked right past it. I had my “blinders” on as I like to call them and was so worried about my own little life I didn’t want to stop and help. But I did. I actully went back 10 minutes later to complete the give I had so quickly walked past earlier.

I was at a major intersection waiting to cross the road and a gentleman was sitting on the side walk asking for money. It was 40C out with the humidity and he was sitting there with his dog asking for help. I ignore them and just kept walking. I ran into a store to get my errand done and the image of this poor man and his dog sitting in the street haunted me. I couldn’t imagine having to sit there all day just trying to raise enough money for food or more importantly water on such a hot day.

I ran back to the corner where I had seen them and not only gave him some money but gave him the large bottle of water I was carrying. I could get another bottle but I didn’t know if he could.

Tonight I will sleep better knowing I took the time to help another human being in need and his dog. Sometimes we have or blinders on when it comes to giving. Sometimes we don’t find the time in the day to give. But I am living proof it can be done. You can give every day. Just open your eyes and your heart and give – everyday.

Time Commitment: Could have been 1 minute if I did it the first time.

Cost: A bottle of water and $5.00 cash

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)