Donate: coz' someone needs it

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” ―Winston S. Churchill

Giving is a gesture which one should have, and we must ensure to teach the same to our children as well.

Donation, be it in kind or otherwise, should be done generously and with all the positive feelings.

When I was young, I always used to ask my mother why the food which she cooks taste so yummy?

Her reply was simple, “I pour my love into the food.”

Now that I am a mother, I understand what she meant then.

Although I don’t get much opportunity to cook and I not a great cook as well but whenever I do, my boys relish the food.

I can recall another similar thing from my younger days. My brothers and I were always instructed to ask for water for anyone who comes to the house. We never had housemaids to serve then. Several times, it used to get embarrassing for the parents because we used to insist the guest to have water even is they were unwilling.

We were also told always to bend down gracefully rather than a straight back, put a smile, and then serve.

Back then, like a stubborn teenager, I always thought that my parents are overdoing things. Now, when I try to tell the same things to my boys or practice on my own, I can understand the essence of that gesture.

When you give something to someone, you are transferring the energy from one body to the other. It also the transfer of emotions, feelings, and willingness.

Recently, we had a food grain donation drive in our building, and the organizers were seeking volunteers, especially children. Why children? Because I believe that children are the most innocent souls, and they can be molded, taught, or exposed to all good things easily.

Without even asking my boys, I enrolled their names. I explained to them about the drive. The organizers were collecting food grains to distribute in flood-affected areas of Maharashtra. Children were supposed to go and ask for a donation, receive it from open arms, and keep in the trolley. After the drive, the organizers told me that my boys did a fabulous job, and the younger one anyhow being a chirpy chatter did a great pitch too.

When I asked my boys about the experience, they were thrilled too.

I wasn’t aiming for a HUGE transformation but to instill a subtle feeling of humility.

One step at a time. That’s what parenting is all about, and we are continually growing and learning with our children.

At my recent IDBI half marathon on the expo day, there was an option to donate old shoes. I liked the idea and replicated the same at my workplace, and initiated a shoe donation drive. We collected shoes, then refurbished and repaired them. Once done, we packed them neatly in carry bags along with shoe size and donated in the nearby slums with the help of a local NGO.

It was an enthralling experience as children were very excited to get the shoes that too so beautifully packed and like new ones.

I also like the concept of Goonj, where the rules for donation are very well defined. They ask the donors to wash, iron, and fold the clothes adequately and then donate.

Donation is not about discarding the waste from your house and making it clean. It’s about making someone else privileged by what you think is not essential for you anymore now.

Donate a smile

Donate a gift

Donate your love

Donate your time

Donate your skills

And the gratification is immense.