The Art of Giving

It has just been a few days since I officially announced that I am hosting my first annual PY Vs. PD golf tournament. The idea of hosting a golf tournament is just that - an idea. It has no form or substance until people give it life. The generosity of people never ceases to amaze me. Every day I check my Facebook, emails, blogs, and all forms of social media and every day someone has stepped up to help. I have said this many times in my blogs that I am blessed with so many great friends! My idea has been given life through all these wonderful people, through their generosity and support, and now friends of my friends have stepped forward to lend their help.

What is giving? It comes in many forms. I have received donations, sponsorship, volunteering, well wishing, prayers, and business support from friends and family in just a few days. We can all learn the art of giving. It is not always based on a charitable event. It also comes in the form of a smile to a passing stranger that you happen to have eye contact with. Writing a blog is a gift of sharing your thoughts with people. How about the gift of interest in the well-being of other people? "How are you today?" and an attentive ear can change somebody's day. Holding a door open and saying, "After you,” is the gift of placing someone else before you. And the gift of "thank you", the affirmation of something that someone has done for you. One of the most precious gifts you can give someone is your time. Ultimately time is all we truly possess. It is everything that occurs between our birth and our eventual passing. There is no better gift.

The golf tournament is not just my event. It belongs to all of us battling this disease and for all of you who are now helping us in this fight, there are over 10 million people in the world who want to give you a big hug and thank you.

Give every day.