Make-A-Difference Monday: Giving

I have to admit, in the past few years, I have not been very compassionate  or generous towards the needy.  I never intended to think or act this way!  I just sort of became hardened (maybe even cold-hearted) and complacent over time.  I also became so wrapped-up in my own life - in the daily-grind, that I became less and less aware of the world around me.  I stopped thinking about things like poverty, not intentionally, it was just out of sight, out of mind.
I used to be very active in different non-profit organizations, but over the past several years I became so engrossed in work that I quit volunteering.  I paid less attention to what was going on around me and quit taking the time to stay informed.  I am ashamed to say, it got to a point where I was just donating money when people asked.  I completely quit seeking out opportunities to help.
However, when I moved to Tampa Bay I could no longer avoid or ignore poverty as there were signs of it all over.  The first day I drove into town I passed many people holding signs, asking for help.  I immediately noticed that they were all wearing neon vests.  I was really shocked by this.  It made me question how bad the problem of poverty is that the government (or some other organization) would distribute reflective vests? 
As the days passed and I noticed more and more people asking for help.  I started to reflect on my own attitude toward poverty.  Although, I would consider myself a generous person, I realized that I have not been acting very generous.  So, I decided I needed to make some changes.  I want my actions to reflect how I feel so I knew I wanted to start giving.  The easiest way to start was by giving money to those that were asking.  So, I decided I would give something to every person that I passed holding a sign or asking for help.  I’m not a rich person, but it’s obvious that I have more than these individuals.  I made a promise to myself that I would at least give something to anyone asking. 
So, over the past several weeks I have made a point of keeping cash with me so I always have something to give.  I have to admit the more I give, the more I want to give.  Selfishly, it makes me feel better about myself too.  I thought I was doing something to help other people but really it has helped me.  It amazes me how stopping to give someone a dollar can make my day so much better.  I just hope my actions are really helping other people too!
I realize I’m not doing much, but it’s a start.  Plus, it has made me so much more aware of other people’s struggles and has reignited my passion to seek out opportunities to help. 
Please share your suggestions with me on how to Make-A-Difference!  Email me at Tess.LostInLife@gmail.com