The ‘teach me’ series is all about learning how to do things I can’t from clever clog wearers who can. I’m learning so much as we go and I hope you are too! Today we welcome Lisa Humphries from the beautiful blog, The Art of Joy. Lisa is such an inspirational, motivational presence in blog land. She has been squeezed through such a lot to arrive at a place of gentle power – surely the best kind of power there is. Lisa’s power comes from supporting and giving to others. If anyone can teach us about leading a more charitable life, it’s Lisa…
It was the most divine timing and could not be more perfectly me, to be asked by Bron to prepare this post about being more charitable. The benefits of giving are well known, they are hugely powerful. Being more charitable as a family will change the way that you all see the world, and it can save lives too!
The most common misconception about being charitable is that “only rich people can afford it”. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, it is often those with the least in life who give the most. There are so many ways to be more charitable, and the first step to making a difference is to let go of any negative feelings you have about giving.
The act of giving
The act of giving is quite possibly the most powerful way to turn a bad mood or a bad day around! It was during some of the darkest days of my life that I stumbled across this life-changing discovery. So many people go through life focused only on what they can achieve for themselves, how much money and how many material possessions or ‘things’ they can accumulate as a sign of being successful and ‘making it’ in life.
If only more people knew that by turning this around and “giving as a way of living” would result in more amazingness in this life! The more love, good vibes, laughter, smiles, generosity that you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return – true story!
It is surprisingly simple to live a more charitable life, here are my tried and tested tips.
Choose a charity + donate as a family
Stay with me, please. I know that you are most likely bombarded with requests for donations, by mail, email, phone and on the street. Take a moment to think about every one of those requests. They come from a place of genuine need, for people who are most likely affected by illness, trauma, disaster, poverty, homelessness or something that you and I can only imagine. It is impossible to say yes everytime you are asked (unless you are secretly a squillionaire!).
Sit down with your family and talk about the issues in the world that you care about. It might be animal welfare, cancer, homelessness, children living in poverty, education, the environment. Make a list and donate as much as you can on a regular basis, this will change your family for the better! Think about giving away $1 a day at minimum, I am fairly sure that this is achievable for most people reading this blog. $30 a month is a wonderful, regular contribution to your chosen charity, or you could change the charity each month as a family project.
On a side note, and coming from me personally as a Professional Fundraiser, please never be rude to anyone who asks you for money. It is one of the most selfless, generous and personally involved career choices and it is also really, really hard to ask people for money! I know that those people on the street chasing you down with their clip boards can be frustrating but they are humans too and they are doing amazing things for people in need. Don’t bury your head in your phone or look the other way; smile and let them know that you already donate to another charity and that you hope they have a great day making a difference.
Use social media for good
A lot of charities are now using social media to spread their message, raise awareness and raise vital funds. By adding some charities to your news feed you can make a difference by engaging and helping them to reach more people. The simple act of liking, sharing and commenting can have a huge impact, and of course this is a great way to learn more about their work and click through to make donations.
Here are a few pages that I would highly recommending following (or do some research into your own favourite charities and find them on social media too):
Volunteer
Volunteering is the most amazing hobby! The opportunities are literally endless, most charities have a variety of ways to get involved by donating some of your time to provide a particular skill that you have. This is super rewarding!
For example, you may be excellent and crazy-talented with computers. Some small charities simply cannot afford to employ people to assist with their IT so this is something they would love help with. Perhaps your marketing skills could be utilised by a charity, or your admin knowledge.
Go Volunteer is an amazing online portal created by Volunteering Australia and they currently have more than 12,000 volunteer opportunities listed!
Declutter + give away belongings
Life is a lot less stressful without clutter! Giving away some of your non-essential belongings is a wonderful way to make a difference without spending any money. Do you really need all of those clothes crammed into your wardrobe? Do your kids grow out of things quickly? Those toys taking up valuable storage space could be used by a charity for children living in poverty.
Put aside a day with your family to declutter and donate as many of your things as possible to a reputable charity or charities. Make sure that you are only giving away items in good condition, and never ‘dump’ unwanted belongings in or near charity bins, this actually costs charities a lot of money to dispose of. Be mindful that most people will need clothes, bedding and personal items that are in near-new condition. The added benefit of this family activity is that you can teach your children about living a more simple life, and placing less importance on belongings and material ‘things’!
Look outwards
It seems that everywhere you turn, most people are looking everywhere but outwards. People are focused on their phones, either typing or talking. I am a huge fan of technology and I am often doing these things, however I make sure I take the time to regularly look up!
Just the other day I was standing at the counter of my local café grabbing my morning coffee, chatting to the owner and about to hand over my $4.50 when a woman marched into the café, talking loudly on her phone, straight to the counter and without taking a breath barked her order at the owner, thrusting her money across in front of me. She did not smile, did not look up from her conversation, had no regard for the fact that I was in the middle of my order and a pleasant conversation. I was a little shocked, and thought of the best things to say to her… on my way home. At the time, I could only mumble to myself over and over, “REALLY??”
To me this is the height of rudeness, self-absorption and the opposite of being more charitable! Simply being more aware, taking notice of the people around us, smiling, asking if someone is OK if they appear to be upset, offering to help someone who looks fragile cross the road, carrying bags for your neighbour … being more charitable is much the same as being more kind.
Please leave a link in the comments to a charity you think is well-worth supporting!
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Lisa Humphries says
WOW Bron you have made this post look simply amazing, thank you so much for the chance to share something that I am so passionate about xx so grateful to you 🙂
Maxabella says
I absolutely love your words and your generosity, Lisa. Thank you so much for sharing this post with us. x
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
Yay Lisa! I love your work! This is such a great post ladies! We sponsor a child through World Vision which is something we agreed to do together. I’ve also raised money by running for charity which means my personal goals have a little bit more added value, because I get to achieve something AND give something back! Right now I’m a big fan of Rafiki Mwema and the work Sarah and her team are doing to make a difference in the lives of young girls in Kenya. Can I also give a shout out to Achilles, Sydney, which helps people who would like to walk and run, able-bodied and disabled, to do it together. Just awesome!
Lisa Humphries says
Sammie thank you!
I love that you are such a giver, and that you love sharing what you are doing for others xx
Sarah is amazing, she is helping me set up a charity here in Aus that a beloved friend of mine runs in Bali, her passion and humble nature blow me away all the time, and her willingness to share everything she knows about getting RM ready for fundraising in Aus is just the most amazing gift for me, and for the extremely disadvantaged people in Bali we are supporting!
I am going to look up Achilles now xx
Julie says
I also think a big way of being more charitable is simply being nice. Treat others with respect and kindness.
Lisa Humphries says
Absolutely agree Julie, being charitable and the basics of being kind and nice go hand in hand xx
Maxabella says
Amen to that, Julie!!! x
KezUnprepared says
So great. Truly. I really think that being charitable is the biggest gift we can give to OURSELVES. I wish everyone realised just how peaceful and life affirming it is to give. We can start with our families and move outwards and it truly is a way to live. I grew up with my parents sponsoring children on behalf of our family. I have volunteered for a crisis line (when I had no money to give I gave my time), I always have a moment to give just a few dollars to the children’s hospital and to anyone who campaigns for melanoma research or support for sufferers (something close to our hearts after losing my husband’s brother). I am not rich and I am not perfectly selfless. In fact, I selfishly do this stuff because it makes ME feel good and I feel good seeing other people feeling good. When good comes back to me, how can I deny it? People think that giving means losing a part of themselves (or their bank accounts), but truly, you can give without spending a cent or sacrificing too much of yourself. What you gain is priceless. Just share the love! x
Lisa Humphries says
So happy that you enjoyed the post Kez!
I could not agree more that this is such a gift to ourselves first and foremost, there is nothing that gives me more joy than giving, or just putting a kind act out into the world, it is the first thing I do as soon as I start to feel myself slipping into a bad mood!
It is beautiful that you have shared one of the most important parts of giving too, it is not always about money, and it absolutely adds value to our lives, it does not take it away xx
Helen K says
Great to put this out there, thank you Lisa and Bron!
There are so many worthy ways of supporting others in need. We too have been sponsoring two children (one for each of my kids) for a number of years, through World Vision. I’m just back from our last info night for the Melbourne Oxfam Trailwalker – $2.5 million to be raised through the Melbourne event alone that runs from 10-12 April (so anyone reading this, I’ll be part of a team walking 100km in hopefully 20 hours, and you are still welcome to sponsor us – it will go to the great work Oxfam provides!) I’m really impressed with how many people volunteer for this event – 800+ to help guide us, provide podiatry and other support, etc. But even more inspired by friends who have been volunteering for the past year in Vanuatu, and now they are back, are raising money through doing gardening, housework, childminding, etc, for friends – it’s great to see that sort of initiative (and at the same time, we might get some backlog in the gardening done – win / win!)
Finally – I agree with the every day awareness approach. Apart from the impact we can have by just treating people as individuals worthy of everyday courtesy, it can really open our eyes to the needs that might be around us too. Lots of ways we can have an impact locally! Cheers, Helen
Lisa Humphries says
Thanks Helen, so glad that you enjoyed this!
It sounds like you are doing some amazing things with your family too, and your friends who have been in Vanuatu WOW!
I have a dear friend who has been impacted by the recent storm and came very close to losing his life, I am planning to do some fundraising soon to help some of the most disadvantaged over there.
Thank you for sharing all of your thoughts xx
Renee Wilson says
Donating as a family is something I’ve been thinking of for awhile. Now that my daughter is four years old I think she is old enough for us to explain to her about people who aren’t as fortunate as we are and that they need our help. We’ve touched on this before when we’ve given toys to the local refugees, but it would be great to commit to a monthly donation. I’ve recently given some clothes from my wardrobe cull to a friend’s relatives in Kosovo who needed them. They were oh so grateful for them.
Lisa Humphries says
Hi Renee 🙂
I think my son was around 4 when I started to involve him in becoming charitable, it is a good age!
Giving away clothes is such an easy one, and it can really change things for people in ways that we might not realise at first.
Enjoy the process of exploring your monthly donations, it such an uplifting and meaningful thing to do xx
Raychael aka Mystery Case says
Love this post. I’m always looking for ways to be more charitable and bring an element of charity to the blog. As a family we choose one charity to support each year with a percentage of pocket money and earnings.
Raychael aka Mystery Case says
Meant to add, this year we are supporting Cases4Kids through Jules from Zippy Zappy Life. Jules is a foster carer and was fed up with kids arriving with their belongings in garbage bags and is attempting to provide suitcases for kids in care through Case4Kids.
Lisa Humphries says
I love the percentage of pocket money, such a great way to include your children in being more charitable and showing how this can then transition to percentage of earnings when they are older and working!
I am going to have a look at Cases4Kids now, sounds wonderful xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
Thanks for featuring Lisa and the amazing work she does, Bron.
Lisa, not only is your space beautiful, it shows people that by helping others, we are also doing something really positive for ourselves. x
Lisa Humphries says
Thanks for your kindness Lisa, I am so grateful that you shared your beautiful thoughts xx
Bec @ The Plumbette says
I heart this post! Love it love it love it! Giving is a regular part of our budget. We sponsor two children overseas and give when we can to charities that send us mail. Such a small amount can make such a difference. I also believe a generous spirit breeds joy. We will be decluttering again this Easter and donating food items to church to assist families in need. We really have so much to give even if we live on little. Great post Bron and Lisa. Xx
Lisa Humphries says
Thank you Bec, for sharing so much love for this post, I am so happy that Bron invited me to write on this topic, it is my absolute fave!! xx
Jenni from Styling Curvy says
lisa, I love you! Such an aware and kind soul, you attract what you project and you my friend project care, love and joy. Since my diagnosis we have never given away so much money, I’m donating every week. Even though we lost my wage and have extra costs associated with my health we choose to give and we’ve never been richer! I’m also ambassador for several charities and working on several projects…this morning I’m off to the ‘good guys’ to ask for $20 000 of product for a project. I know they will come through…people always do. Keep doing what you do Lisa, I love it xx
Lisa Humphries says
Jen – thank you!
I LOVE this – ” Even though we lost my wage and have extra costs associated with my health we choose to give and we’ve never been richer!” xx