Many years ago I was eating lunch with my large family in a local restaurant. We were a large family because my then husband and I adopted 5 children between the ages of 1 through 5 years old. Our family did stand out a bit when we were in public since all 5 were all close in age and we are a multiracial family. Fortunately for us our children behaved fairly well in restaurants so the attention we seem to receive was not negative.

            When we were done and ready to leave we asked our server for the check, she said not to worry about it because someone else paid the bill and chose to remain anonymous. We were quite surprised that someone was so kind to pay our lunch bill for a family of seven, and to remain anonymous on top of that. Wow, I was quite impressed with such generosity and vowed from that point on to give in small ways when the opportunities arose to do so.

            Fortunately opportunities arise all the time. Last week I was standing in line for a movie with my father, and as I was paying for the two of us when I noticed the woman behind us was alone so I paid for her ticket too. She was so shocked she almost didn’t accept it. When she finally received the gift being offered to her, her walk and stance seemed to appear lighter and happier. It is true that we all like to receive gifts in our life. That is why some holidays were created. So in being a regular small gift giver in life can have a huge impact on the whole.

 Although Winston Churchill would not have been considered genuinely giving in the sense that I am talking about, I believe he said something profound when he said        “ We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” When we think about what he said it really makes sense. Have you ever met someone who does really well in their field of work, they contribute only what is necessary to get what they want in terms of recognition, success, and money, but they don’t give more than that? Do they seem warm hearted and their life feels genuinely full of love? I have even seen over the years people volunteering out of a need for recognition and duty, and wondered how genuine is the giving. I have also been one of those myself that have given out of a sense of duty and need, and I can tell you that I was feeling a little resentful or burdened by that situation.

            When I am talking about giving to others, I am talking about the kind of giving that does not get rewarded in any way. Doing things for others that might put you out a little but they add a whole lot for another person, such as offering to drive someone that could use it; buying a meal, a movie ticket, a coffee; even giving a compliment to someone, are some of the ways that can make a huge difference in someone else’s life and has little trouble if any on yours.

            When I was growing up my grandmother always told me to be kind to people because they might be having a low day, and that I might say or do one thing that can make a difference in their life. I watched her bring smiles and laughter on to hundreds of peoples faces, and longed to be as good as her when I grew up. Even though she has passed on many years ago, old neighbors that knew her still speak so highly about her giving nature. She might not have made a great living, but she certainly had a great life, according to Winston Churchill’s philosophy.

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