Give Something Away Day Archives

National Give Something Away Day, celebrated annually on July 15, encourages us to embrace generosity and selflessness. It’s a day to declutter, share with those in need, and spread joy within our communities.

In my All the Right Reasons book, I cite that Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “You make a living out of what you get. You make a life out of what you give.” So here are five ways we can make the most of this special day.

1. Reflect on Abundance

I love this thought because it has us taking a moment to appreciate what we have. Most of us are fortunate enough to have more than we need to live comfortably. Recognize your abundance—whether it’s material possessions, skills or time—and see how it sparks ideas to share.

2. Broaden Your Definition of Giving

This concept of expansion says that while tangible items like clothing, money, and food are valuable, we could consider other ways to give. Your skills, empathy, and compassion can be equally impactful. Sometimes, a kind word or a listening ear is often the greatest gift.

3. Pay It Forward

Next time you’re in line at the store, pay for the person behind you. Small acts of kindness ripple through the world, brightening someone’s day and fostering a sense of connection.

4. Random Acts of Kindness

Simple gestures like paying for someone’s coffee, leaving an encouraging note, or helping a neighbor with errands can have a huge effect. These small acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day and inspire them to pay it forward.

5. Encourage Others

Inspire your friends, family, and colleagues to participate. Share your experiences on social media using #GiveSomethingAwayDay. By spreading the message, you amplify the impact of giving.

National Give Something Away Day reminds us that giving enriches our lives. It’s not just about what we accumulate; it’s about the legacy of kindness we leave behind. So, let’s heed Churchill’s words and make our lives meaningful by giving generously.

Happy Give Something Away Day!

All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, available on Amazon, uncovers 12 principles for living a life in harmony. It draws on the power of values to help find life’s success secrets. All proceeds feed hungry children, with each book purchase providing 40 meals. Let’s all create a life focused on giving.

The following is excerpted from a news release sent on July 15, which is also “Give Something Away Day.”

Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “You make a living out of what you get. You make a life out of what you give.” Many people enter relationships for what they think they can get instead of what they can give. If we were to focus more on giving than getting, the return would be enormous.

Coming out of the pandemic is an excellent time to simplify our lives and to share with others who might not be as fortunate. I see no downside to giving something away to make a difference in the lives of others.

Giving Feels Good

Polling a group of 30,000 American households showed that givers were happier than non-givers, according to a Social Capital Community benchmark survey.

There’s no question that when you buy a homeless person a meal, donate clothing or give away something, you feel uplifted, and that’s what this is about — lifting others up, including yourself.

When my four children were smaller, my wife and I would find someone to serve on Christmas Eve. Some years we served food at a homeless shelter; other years we selected a needy family and bought gifts for the children.

People matter more than things. We all work hard to achieve success, to arrive at some pinnacle of achievement — to have the perfect house, perfect family, perfect body. In the process, we fill our lives with stuff. Most people have more food, faster cars, fancier clothes, better health, higher incomes, bigger houses, and more conveniences than their ancestors had a hundred years ago.

Yet according to the World Database of Happiness, we are not any happier than previous generations. Studies show once we have enough income to comfortably meet basic needs, additional wealth has little impact on our happiness. We are really searching for inner peace, yet many of us don’t know how to find it.