Tag: giving

Time

What is the greatest gift someone could give you?

Now don’t get me all wrong, I’m not demanding that my life be extended, all I am saying is the best gift you could give me is your time.

A simple, “How are you?” A “Good morning” or even a smile, it sets a scene, we don’t have to rush, let’s talk a while but it rarely occurs. Probably the only person you speak to in the morning is the barista, when you give them your name to put on your coffee cup on the way to work.

Society has changed to the extent that we hold everyone in suspicion, we don’t trust anyone, not for any particular reason apart from society dictating that we should all be suspicious of one another. It’s just ingrained into society right now.

What Gift? Speak to anyone who knows me and you will see that I’m a person that likes gifts that have had thought go into them. I do not need items of materialistic value, you could just as well pass me an old battered book or a pair of socks, of no particular monetary value, if they mean something to me I will cherish them.

And that is where time is important. We all have an undefined amount available to us, it costs nothing to give it, and it has a value that is priceless.

Give your time, and you will be rewarded equally, it’s so simplistic that it’s crazy. If only society would sit up and pay attention.

Stay safe.

Giving, it’s not just for Christmas it’s for life..

I’ve knicked a quote here that in the UK usually refers to purchasing dogs as Christmas presents, you just don’t do it, it is a lifetime commitment.

Now we move on to giving and charity. At this time of year we are bombarded by requests to give and there are many tugs on the heartstrings that I have no doubt serve a purpose and achieve an influx of donations for those requesting assistance. And rightly so.

Then Christmas is over and done… silence!

Hence my title of this page. The singer George Michael had a song called “Praying for time” where he takes a well aimed prod at people by referring to our charitable contributions or lack of them…

These are the days of the empty hand
Oh, you hold on to what you can
And charity is a coat you wear twice a year
This is the year of the guilty man
Your television takes a stand
And you find that what was over there is over here.

George Michael

Charity is a coat you wear twice a year, that’s a strong statement and it’s probably right.

Charitable giving shouldn’t just be one of those twice a year activities, it should be a year round thing. I know we are in a financial crisis and not everyone can afford to donate, however time is as valuable as money and it does not have to be a financial donation.

It’s something I’m going to change personally in the coming year, I do donate through my payroll to some small charities but I also fall in to that “ Charity is a coat you wear twice a year” category.

I’m determined that I will give more of my time, I have plenty of it, as we all do, no excuses we can all give time, hopefully it’s the one thing we are “Wealthy” with. We all hopefully have plenty of it.

Let’s use it, let’s make changes no matter how small.

Remember this quote:

Time, we have plenty of it

I hope I haven’t come across as patronising or anything like that, this is never my intention. I was just mystified at advertising targeting a period when people naturally give, however missing out on the other 11 months of the year. Mind you I guess they are targeting an audience and getting it right.

Im going to wear that coat a lot more during 2025

Have a safe and peaceful holiday period, wherever you are and whatever you do. Stay safe. Peace