Living Simply Challenge Day 26: Giving Back

     Today's challenge is an easy one. I'll give you a list of ways to give back to others, or "pay it forward", then you pick the ones that are do-able. Giving back tends to become essential to a lot of minimalists and those who choose a more simple life. It's a way of being thankful, helping others, appreciating not only what you have, but the differences between people and groups. It's one thing that could change the world, by people just taking the focus off themselves and focusing on others. Turn selfishness into selflessness. People will tell you, they decided to give back and were surprised that it ended up feeling like THEY got the most reward, in the feeling of helping others. Let's explore a list of way to help make the world a better place.

• Volunteer - at a school, a church, a charity, worthwhile organization, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, women's and children's shelter, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA or other teen/youth center, pregnancy crisis center, marathon or walkathon for a good cause, library story time, etc.
• Donate Blood through the Red Cross - just go to their website to find a location near you. It takes about half an hour if you make an appointment, about an hour or so if you just walk in, and you can donate every 8 weeks. They even send you a card with your blood type, and will email you with where your blood went. For example, once mine went to a teenage crash victim to help save her life. Some of it's used for scientific research to try curing diseases.
• Animal Shelter - they love volunteers to help clean cages and feed animals, but did you know that they also need people to come and pet the cats and dogs? It's a great program for younger kids to learn about giving back. Check your local area to see how their program works.
• Operation Gratitude - it's an organization to support military troops away from their families. You can check them out online. They send packages to them (with guidelines found on the website), or you could write to a soldier thanking them for their service.
• Habitat for Humanity - builds houses for those who otherwise couldn't afford a decent, affordable place to live. The waiting list is huge and the people who move in are very grateful families, not people randomly given a handout. The families are part of a program that helps them get on their feet. If you can't build or paint, you could donate furniture and household items as well.
• Raise money - you could do this in a charity walk, an auction, a silent auction benefit, a benefit dinner, make something and sell it giving the proceeds to a good cause.
• Become an organ donor - one organ donor can save 8 lives! And can improve the lives of over 50 people with tissue and other donations! All you do is check a box when getting your next driver's license and it's done. Easy as that.
• Donate your skills - if you're a doctor, dentist, lawyer, or other professional, you could give your time and skills for free at planned events/intervals to help the underprivileged. You could offer free medical shots/dental checkups in a free clinic in a poor neighborhood. You could offer services in an orphanage. You could help battered spouses get free with legal skills. 
• Shop wisely - there are companies like TOMS (the shoe company, which now has expanded to other products) , that gives back. Whenever they sell a pair of shoes, they give a pair to an impoverished child. Check out their donations online, it's impressive. They gave 10,000 pairs to kids in one country, 140,000 pairs in another, and they give all around the world. In addition to TOMS, there's other companies that follow Fair Trade laws, donate huge percentages of their proceeds to those without, etc. Do some research on the company the next time you need a product. 
• Support small, local, family businesses - by shopping with them first when you do need something. I love finding treasures at the local book store, thrift store, etc. It keeps the dollars in your own community while helping the little guy who has trouble staying afloat alongside the major chain retailers.
• Do a "drive" - canned food drive, clothing drive, school supplies drive, book drive, blankets drive for the homeless, water drive for the homeless, etc.

     Those are some bigger things but what about the everyday, unscheduled things you can do to help others? What can one person do to make a difference in the life of another person as they struggle through their day? Some of these things listed will seem like just good old-fashioned manners or common sense, but lately, that's not something found in our culture anymore. Many of these little things make a huge impact on people because it's so rare to see sometimes. Here's a quick list of easy things you can do anytime, no scheduling required:

• Hold the door open for the person behind you when entering/exiting a building, store, restaurant, etc. It's amazing how many people leave and let the door slam into the person behind them. Hold the door for them.
• Leave a positive review on Yelp or whatever website most helps a small, local business that you love. Help them stay in business with just a few moments of your time. I did that for a local Greek restaurant, then the next time, I mentioned to the owner than I thought the food and service was so good I felt like I had to go give them a good review. She unexpectedly gave me a discount on my order. I never did it to get something back, and only mentioned it to compliment her family, but got rewarded in the process of doing good.
• Inspire and Encourage others - instead of being "that guy" on social media with negative comments on everything, find opportunities to post a quick word of encouragement or inspiration. I've seen negative people comment harsh things when someone donates thousands to impoverished kids, volunteers to help people, etc. Be the one that lets the person doing a good deed know it's noticed, and worth it to keep trying.
• Free Rice - I just recently realized this website still exists! I used to use it years ago. You go to their site: Free Rice (just click on this link), you answer vocabulary questions and for every answer you get right, they donate 10 grains of rice. It promotes education and attempts to help world hunger. Play that instead of solitaire or some other desktop/mobile game when you're bored or waiting for an appointment.
• Pay - for the person behind you in a drive thru, or at a coffee place. It'll make their day and you'll leave with a smile.
• Offer your seat - when there's none left. It can be at the Division of Motor Vehicles, on a city bus or subway, in a doctor's office, etc.
• Clean up litter - by yourself or with a group, at a local park or shared space (like the grassy area or courtyard where you live)
• Write a quick note to brighten someone's day
• Bake or cook and share with someone you know is going through a rough time, or just a neighbor

     Whatever you do, just do something. Find a need and fill it. Not only can it help others, but you'll feel better for it as well.