Mandela Day is here again, and with it the call to spend 67 minutes being a force for good in your community! This day was determined at a more optimistic time in our history. I could not help wondering if South Africans still feel as enthusiastic about giving, and/or volunteering on this day in 2022.
The economic climate is bleaker than it used to be. The political climate is a lot less hopeful. Young people are frequently depressed, with some opting to take their lives. (I suspect that older people are depressed too, they’re just less fragile). Unemployment is at record highs. It might not be the best climate in which to feel like giving.
This day was supposed to raise our awareness to those less fortunate among us. It was supposed to foster a spirit of community and nation-building. In the spirit of giving and nation-building, I am also writing this blog, with my 67 minutes :-). You might not be less fortunate, but I hope that this blog raises your optimism, and your spirit of altruism and nation-building. We all need to maintain our optimism in the face of difficult odds, post-Covid.
Giving to Yourself
The general assumption is that people are doing it for themselves all the time. A day like this is supposed to help us think outside of ourselves, by reaching out to others in our community, who are less fortunate. There are people, however, who are exhausted from giving of themselves, on a daily basis. For those people, I wish to suggest that they use the 67 minutes to nurture themselves, for a change. Take a break. Check your heart for what you would really appreciate today. Maybe a small break from constantly working. Maybe buy yourself something inexpensive – that will give you a lot of satisfaction, e.g. earphones to play your music undisturbed. You could cook your favorite meal and/or spend the evening with your favorite people. You could go on a social media detox for the whole day, to restore your mental health. Read or watch an inspirational story for an hour, instead of listening to the (often terrible) News.
There is a common saying that you cannot pour from an empty cup. For those of us who are constantly pouring – today is a good day to remember that you are a child of the Universe too, and you deserve to give time and effort to yourself too.
Giving to others
There is a lot that any of us can give. We can volunteer our efforts. We can also give money, clothes and/or other material things.
One way is to volunteer the skills that you learned in your job/profession, to help a local small business that you admire. You could do their books if you’re an accountant, or help them to install a computer system if you’re in IT. You could help your local creche with typing services, if you are a typist. You get the idea!
Below are 6 suggestions that I could think of, in a hurry. Please feel free to add some more of your own suggestions, in the comments, below.
- Read to kids who cannot afford after-care
- Double/triple the tip to your Uber driver, hairdresser etc.
- Cook/bake for the elderly in your area
- Give pocket money to a struggling tertiary student that you know
- Give you good clothes and shoes that you no longer wear – to your neighbors/charity
- Talk to the interns at your workplace and help show them the ropes
You may have to let the recipients know that you are only giving once a year, for Mandela Day. Otherwise some people will expect free service from you everyday – which you’re probably unable to give.
Of course, you do not have to go solo. You can collaborate with some of your friends, or colleagues, and give a combined product/service.
Giving to others while also giving to yourself
Giving to others while also giving to yourself is a win-win situation. If you recently started a business – you might want to give free products (or services) from your business. This is useful for the recipients because they are getting free stuff. It is also useful for you, as the business then becomes well-known through the freebies that you gave. Basically a marketing exercise, on the back of this day.
At home and at work, we normally spend our money and our efforts on tasks that we have to do. For that reason, I would choose to give something that is not related to my regular duties, but is still something that I genuinely love to do.
If I was a typist who happened to love sewing, I’d rather sew some curtains for the local old aged home. The reason being to revisit those parts of myself that get neglected in daily life. Those activities that I love to do, but often do not get the chance to do them. I suspect that this might be a more meaningful gift. It might also be good for sharpening your hidden talents. Honing your talents is good for personal growth.
There is an old belief that you need to give what you most want to receive or experience. So if you need more money, paradoxically, you have to give away money. If you are lonely, you give more love and friendship to those who need it most. Life then gives you back what you give out. This then is a way to give, while also receiving in the end.
The extent of the giving
If one were to look at all the problems facing our communities, our country and the world – the conclusion might be that the problems are too many and too big. Who are we to even start, and where do we even begin? It is important to remember that we cannot help everybody. It is enough to simply brighten the corner, where you are, with what you have.
The advantages of giving
It can look like giving is only a loss to yourself, and a gain only to others. This is a short-sighted view. There are many advantages to giving, even for the giver.
Giving can give you satisfaction and joy, however temporary. This is because giving gives you an opportunity to shine your little light on the world, despite its many shadows. This can give one a feeling of flow and even a feeling of purpose. As you give, and notice the difference you are making, it can help to dispel depression. Giving also dispels the feeling that there is never enough. Here you are, giving something to someone, and you still have some left over for yourself! For a minute or two (or 67), we can stop believing in scarcity – and place ourselves in a mindset of abundance instead.
How To Give
It is easier to give what you already have in abundance. If you have good clothes that you no longer need, you give them out to your neighbors and also distant relatives. If you have some cash, you donate to a charity that inspires you. (N.B. Make sure the charity is legit, as there are many chancers looking to get free money!).
I believe that it is important to raise your vibe before giving. This could take the form of playing your favorite music, and dancing to it. If you’re religious, you could pray and sing praises first. This is so that you give from a happy place and a generous place. Giving from a grudging, low-vibration state will not give you much joy. It arguably also will not bring any blessings to you or the recipient(s). Make sure to come from a place of positivity, and love in your heart. That is when the giving will really be a force for good.
Celebrate / Congratulate Yourself
Finally, be proud of yourself afterwards, and remember that you did good. You kept the flow going. You have made a difference. You are a good citizen, and a community builder. Even the Bible says in Proverbs 3: 9 – 10 “Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first fruit of all your harvest, then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow“.
High-five your friends if you were giving together. High-five yourself in the mirror, if you were a solo giver. This is good for your self esteem. You need to acknowledge your own self, and not wait for others to celebrate you. If you wait for other people to congratulate you, you run the risk of giving from a place of competition and self-seeking, instead of giving from your generosity.
But hey, if you want to give for the sake of competition and external praise – who am I to stand in your way? At least you gave! I was just advising the opposite, to avoid making the whole exercise toxic. Mixed with competition and one-upmanship. It’s up to you.
Happy Giving! Let me know what you think.
Sis’ Toz