December: The Month of Giving
Living in today’s world can cause us to become engulfed in worldly and materialistic things. Our worries consist of having the latest phone model, living in a huge house, going to expensive restaurants or competing with others to have a lavish lifestyle. However, as a Muslim, I turn to the words of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) reminding us that “He who is not grateful to people is not grateful to God.” Rather than competing with others, we need to show humanity by helping others and showing gratitude. The Holy Prophet Muhammad encouraged Muslims to be aware of those who are in a less fortunate position than oneself and not to notice those better off than oneself. Thus, December is a month of giving that provides us all, no matter which religion you belong to, an opportunity to serve humanity and make a difference for the betterment of the community around us.
No deed is big or small, which means we should put all our efforts in helping others together to make a greater impact. Sometimes our acts of service can change a person’s life, be it providing food and clothes, giving a place of shelter, even an opportunity to obtain an education, or even a small smile or conversation can provide someone a sense of belonging. Not only does it make the other person happy, but helping others can provide us a sense of happiness. Our positive attitudes can lead to a betterment in society, and our willfulness can encourage others to spread positivity. As Mahatma Gandhi has said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This December, we all should strive to be the change by giving back to society and helping others.
Here are a few ways we can help serve humanity and give back to others.
1. Purge a Closet
Winter season means cold and chilly weather. Everyone deserves the feeling of warmth, comfort and security. Many times, we outgrow clothing or have items lying around in our closets, and do not know what to do with them. Thus, we should look in our closets for items such as clothes, coats, blankets, and shoes and donate them to shelters and thrift shops that can benefit from gently used clothes. When donating items, we should always keep in mind to give those items that do not have stains, holes, and tears. A good rule of thumb to remember is that if an item is in good condition and clean, then it is probably safe to donate.
2. Donate to a Cause
Sometimes, we spend money on things that we later do not use and have a feeling of regret. To turn these feelings around, donate to charities and participate in selfless acts. Donating to charities allows us to make a difference that we might not be able to do personally or with our own hands. The amount donated should not matter, rather we should remember that our true purpose is to help make a difference. Maybe, we can skip our morning coffee and donate the money we would have spent instead. Look for local and national charities, so your donation can provide another person with a little better outcome in their life .
3. Volunteer Your Time
We can take some time off from our busy schedules to volunteer in many ways. Volunteering allows us to make a difference with our own hands. We can help seniors in our community by volunteering at nursing homes, helping the elderly with shopping, or just spending some quality time with them. We can help those in financial need by volunteering at soup kitchens and shelters, be it through manual labor or community outreach. Schools engage in a variety of activities and are always looking for volunteers. You can help by becoming a teacher’s assistant, helping at sporting events, helping with lunch services, or providing your services to the school. Volunteering allows us to interact with others and provides us with a way to give back to the community.
4. Share Your Knowledge and Skills for Free
Our skills, knowledge, and abilities can also be used to make a difference in someone’s life. Many communities, NGOs, and libraries hold events and workshops in which they are always looking for help. Use your knowledge by tutoring someone or educating and bringing awareness on topics that the community can benefit from. You can help with teaching others to cook or helping with art sessions. Try setting up a website or a blog that can be used to share guidance or post tips on social media. If you know how to sew or knit, use this skill to teach others or use your skill to produce clothing and blankets for others to use. Never underestimate the amount of knowledge you have or your skills, just take the step and give back.
5. Spread Positivity
With all the violence and hatred going around in the world, the least we can do is spread some positivity. One of the easiest ways to bring sunshine in this gloomy world is through our smiles. Just a smile can give a sense of belonging. Everyone appreciates compliments, so if you see your friend wearing a new outfit, tell them how great they look. Show appreciation by telling your family how much you love them. When we are at stores, we should open the door for others or say thank you when someone helps us. Show random acts of kindness, and someone might see our positivity and continue the chain.
