29 Days of Giving: Days 2 & 3
Jun 3rd, 2010 | By Rachel Elliott | Category: 29 Days of Giving, Personal Growth
June 2, 2010
I think I actually gave twice today but I am only going to really tell you about the second time. Today was a little epic because my teaching team had booked a trip to Heritage Park for all of our 135 students and then in the evening we had the year-end band concert. At the end of the day I was setting up for the band concert and the student that was going to run the sound system offered to stay at the school right up until 8pm when the concert would be over to help with the chairs and other little details. His staying and taking care of the finer details let me take a dinner break and get out of the building for a little longer than I might have otherwise. So I offered to buy him dinner and bring it back to the school for him.
He was a little shocked and a little more perplexed as to whether he should order a sub or a taco but he chose his dinner and when I ran out to grab my food I picked his up.
It’s easy to think that “kids these days” aren’t as kind or as generous as they used to be (I may have even accused them of this once or twice). When I am out at the mall or riding the bus, I often see groups of teenagers getting admonishing looks from the public. I understand how easy it is to make judgments when they are often a little rowdy and intimidating. Today’s gesture of generosity and kindness reminded me that most “kids these days” actually do want to help out and be involved, and the ones who don’t are in the minority by a large margin. I like being reminded that there are really great kids (well, people in general) in our world that are willing to help someone out and they actually expect nothing for it.
June 3, 2010
My opportunity to give came early this morning in the form of a message from an “old” friend. In my line of work (as a middle-school teacher) I meet a lot of really wonderful young people. Teachers don’t really have “favourites” but every now and then a student comes along that you really relate to and find a connection with. Alex is a former student of mine that I haven’t actually taught or seen in many years, but we have remained friends throughout the years. We don’t get to chat as often as we probably should but when one of us needs something from the other, we always seem to know that it’s alright to ask.
Alex has recently accepted a job teaching English in Budapest, and early this morning she sent me a message to ask for advice on her first day of work. I immediately recognized the opportunity to give my knowledge and assistance and I responded with some quick advice and some of my favourite ESL web resources. It didn’t take long but I hoped it helped make her first day a little easier.
I love that my giving is helping to remind me that I have knowledge and talents that other people value. In our busy world, it’s easy to feel like you are an island trying to stay afloat in a sea of others doing the same. I think we have a tendency to take our daily interactions with others for granted and not see how much we value others, and how much others value us. My giving helped me feel valued by a person I am separated from by time and space.
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