February 14 is Generosity Day

While most people will be celebrating Valentine's Day on February 14, I will be celebrating Generosity Day.  Generosity Day is a one-day version of the Generosity Experiment that was conducted by Sasha Dichter.

According to Dichter, "Generosity Day is a day of practicing saying YES, because doing so will change you and change those around you...The goal is to spend Valentine’s Day being more generous, giving more money, sharing of yourself, and being of service.  All acts of generosity, small and big alike, count." 

Sigh...a man after my own heart!

Personally, for me, Generosity Day is every day.  But I can only speak for myself, so I hope you will join me in taking the Pledge to Participate in Generosity Day and help to make this world a better place. 

There are several ways to show generosity in Maui, these are the few that popped into my head at the moment:

• Give of your time and volunteer in your community


• Pick up that hitchhiker on the side of Hana or Haleakala way. I have personally done this a few times to the dislike of my husband. Not because he isn't nice but because he worries for my safety. Understandable.


• Respond to a homeless person's request for money. If you are worried about this person possibly using it for drugs (which, sad to say, can happen in any community), you can walk with this person to a nearby food establishment or buy a gift card from that establishment and give it to the person.


• Smile at every person you pass. You never know how rough someone's day could be going and by doing this you may have made it better even if for just a few minutes.

You can also help to promote this wonderful event by "liking" the Generosity Day Facebook page and promoting it on Twitter using the hashtag #generosityday.

I only meant to take a two-week hiatus from blogging during the holidays but ended up getting sick the day after Christmas and in an effort to get well, I literally did not leave my home until the first day of school on January 9.

You would think that I would take advantage of that opportunity to blog like crazy but instead I took that opportunity to enjoy true "quiet" time. Then, the Spring semester started and if you are a teacher, you can empathize with what happens during those first few weeks.

I've got quite a bit to share with you, so just know that I will....

Doing Good Always Works

Of all my accessories, these Good Work(s) wrap bracelets are my favorite because of the positive affirmations that are imprinted on them.  I want to get one in every color but as you can see, I've got three so far.

 

Each bracelet displays the following words:

Make a Difference * Planet Peace * Live in Unity * Freedom

Accept Diversity * Speak Kindness * Pave the Path * Lead the Way * Be Aware

Give Back * Seek Wisdom * Come Together * Truth * Forgive * Strength

Courage * Dream * Believe * Faith * Sow Love

According to the tag on my latest purchase (the black one), Good Work(s) Make a Difference donates 25% of its profits to "Good" causes.  I decided to go to their web site to find out more about these causes.  

In 2011, the company sponsored various events for programs that address:

• Domestic Abuse
• At-Risk Children
• Foster Children
• Breast Cancer
• and Japan Tsunami Victims

In 2012, their mission is to move (12) twelve homeless families into completely furnished permanent housing. Sweet!

For those of you who are more spiritual, Good Work(s) also has bracelets that are imprinted with Bible scriptures.  www.goodworksmakeadifference.com