Tag Archive for: giving back

Maximizing National Give Something Away Day: 5 Tips for a Generous Life

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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!

National Give Something Away Day | 5 Tips for a Generous Life | Kevin Guest

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.

Celebrate the Spirit of Giving

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I love this time of year. For me, as I’m sure it is for many of you, it’s a season of giving. December, in fact, is designated to be “National Giving Month” in the United States.

It’s about more than just material gifts, of course. This time of year we should give of our time, our service, and our compassion. As I wrote at the start of the month, it’s important to give of ourselves to others.

But it’s also important to give to ourselves.

We need to stay balanced personally. To do that, we should dedicate time for self-care, peace, and solitude. By nurturing ourselves, we cultivate the energy needed to help others.

National Giving Month | Kevin Guest

3 Ways to Celebrate the Spirit of Giving

  1. Serve Others: Volunteer time and skills to those in need. Whether it’s helping a neighbor or volunteering at a charity, I find tremendous value in getting outside of myself and making a difference in someone else’s life.
  2. Anonymous Do Kind Acts: Do something kind for someone who can do nothing for you in return. When possible, do it anonymously. It’s an act that truly embodies the spirit of giving and flows out to others.
  3. Give to Yourself: Because it’s important to stay balanced personally, dedicate time for self-care, peace, and solitude. By nurturing ourselves, we cultivate the energy and tolerance needed to help others.

In All the Right Reasons, I relay a story of a college professor who said, “Nothing is more important than relationships. In your careers, your paths will cross with many people. They all matter and deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile, say hello and learn their names. Few things are more important to people than being called by their first name.”

Especially during this month of giving, I urge everyone to treat others with kindness and respect. Learn their names, acknowledge them as you pass by, and step outside of your own issues to be genuinely respectful to everyone.

By adopting this mindset, individuals can foster deeper connections, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose that extends beyond the holiday season.

As the Month of Giving unfolds, let’s come together to create a ripple effect of generosity, kindness, and compassion. By serving others, helping anonymously, and actually giving time for ourselves, we pave the way for stronger, more meaningful relationships that endure well beyond the holiday season.

We all have the power to help others, to give back, and to do good in this world. That’s my wish and hope for you this holiday season. Please take comfort in the spirit of giving to those around you and to yourself.

I shared these thoughts in a news release published on Dec. 4, 2023. I also shared a version with e-newsletter subscribers on Dec. 19. Please consider subscribing.

Make the ‘Season of Giving’ a Year-Round Effort

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We’re in the midst of what many consider to be the Season of Giving. The holidays are a time for giving back to our communities and giving thanks for the many blessings in our lives.

Yes, we’re embarking on a special time. And though I encourage each of us to focus on giving during this holiday season, I believe it’s important that we think about how we can give back, no matter the time of year.

It’s the overall Spirit of Giving, a notion that’s not tied to a calendar, that helps to make a difference in the lives of so many.

Volunteering Weekly

USANA Kids Eat volunteers. Photo credit: The USANA Foundation

This time last year, we were putting the finishing touches on opening the new USANA Kids Eat food-packing facility in Salt Lake City. In just a few months, we’ve watched the program become an integral part of our community.

USANA Kids Eat, an initiative of The USANA Foundation, couldn’t do what it does without a dedicated staff and teams of volunteers. Several individuals volunteer weekly throughout the year. They fill backpacks with food and deliver them to schools to ensure students aren’t going hungry on weekends.

In October, The USANA Foundation blog highlighted a half-dozen of the volunteers who are committed to giving back year-round. I’ve known many of the USANA Kids Eat volunteers personally for years as members of the USANA Family. I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks for the countless hours of service.

Miles for Meals

As I mentioned in my October e-newsletter, a group of four USANA employees had organized Miles for Meals. The 12-hour bike ride on Oct. 29 aimed to provide 12,600 meals for hungry kids. Thank you to everyone who contributed, and here’s an update on the adventure. Spoiler: The campaign raised more than 20,000 meals!

Giving Back

As we celebrate the Season of Giving, I’d like to encourage you to look within your community and identify opportunities to give. It’s so important to have in our hearts a Spirit of Giving. I believe it enriches our lives as well as the lives of others.

Thank you for doing all you do to help make the world a better place. We all have the power to help others, to give back, and to do good in this world all year long.

May your holiday season be filled with happiness.

P.S. Here’s a recent news clip featuring USANA Kids Eat.

A version of this article went to email subscribers on Nov. 24, 2020. I invite you to subscribe here.