This year I decided instead of giving something up, I would give something.  Around the first of the year I began a new healthy living plan where I have given up caffeine (my biggest addiction until then) and given up most sugar, alcohol and artificial preservatives. So there was not much left (food-wise at least) that would feel like a sacrifice. Instead I decided to give away at least $5 a day during Lent. It might be someone needy, or someone who needed a little boost, or just giving for the sake of giving.  I found that it was not as easy as I thought it would be! I had envisioned myself running into people panhandling, or an elderly person living on a fixed income at the bus stop, but when I set out to look for them, they weren’t in my line of sight. I will keep my eyes and ears peeled but in the mean time I was able to meet my commitment in other ways.

Here are my recipients for the first week:

Day 1 - $10 tip on $5 soup at a restaurant in town.

Day 2 - Donated $25 to a friend’s Team in Training fundraiser.

Day 3 - Gave $5 to a lady sitting in her car in a gas station parking lot on our way to Reno.

Day 4 - Gave an extra tip at a restaurant at Galena.

Day 5 - Gave $5 to a gas station clerk in Nayak - he was visibly moved, and shaking as he thanked me!

Day 6 - Donated $5 to the local animal shelter via a collection box at the pet store.

Day 7 - Donated $10 to Story Time Felts Susan G. Komen fundraiser.

Day 8 - Gave an extra $5 tip to a restaurant in town.

If you have any suggestions on where I can drop off $5 or find people to give it to each day, I’d love to hear them! In the next few weeks I will be visiting the food bank and shelters since I know they can always take donations. What else?

It has been fun to focus on giving and being thankful for the abundance in my life.