The 30-Day Giving Challenge: Expanding My World

My world is so small.

It’s so easy to just go about my daily routine – work, family life, friends, blogging – and completely miss seeing the needs of the people around me. That’s why I’m so excited about co-hosting this year’s 30-Day Giving Challenge. For me, the 30-Day Giving Challenge is a way for me to be more aware. More aware of other people. More aware of their needs. More aware of how unaware I can be if I don’t pay attention.

Have you ever felt this way? Does your world ever shrink to a population of one?

In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
Got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world, population ME …

What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now?
Outside my own little world….

That’s me. Plenty of food on the table, clothes in the closet, and gas in the car. A stable family, a stable job. And it makes me far too comfortable.

November is going to be all about taking my eyes off of myself and being more aware. I want to be aware of other people and their needs. I want to make a conscious effort to meet some of those needs. I want to be a blessing to someone each day, even if they don’t know that it was me who blessed them. I want to be God’s hands and feet, helping people who could use a smile, a kind word, or a helping hand. And I want to teach our daughter to do the same.

Want to join me?

I’ve had some questions about how the 30-Day Giving Challenge works. It’s simple really. Find at least one way to give each day for the whole month of November. Remember, these don’t have to be monetary gifts. There are many free and inexpensive ways to give. Each evening, write down how you gave that day. I suppose you could participate without writing it down, but the act of writing it down brings some accountability and an opportunity for reflection.

Each week, you’ll have a chance to share part of your story on the 30-Day Giving website. If you’re a blogger, you could write a post and then link up your stories each week. If you’re not a blogger, you could leave your stories in the comments. We’re not doing this to brag. It’s not about us. The goal of sharing is to inspire and encourage each other to continue giving. If you run out of ideas, the stories might give you new ones.

It’s time to be intentional. Are you up for the challenge?

Giving and Giveaways… with a Twist

Our 30-Day Giving Challenge team of bloggers will not only be hosting your giving stories, but we’ll also be hosting lots of giveaways. Normally, when bloggers do giveaways, we get one of the products to review and one to give away to one of you. This time, we’re doing the same thing with a bit of a twist.

We’re going to be receiveing some awesome products to review…. but we’re not keeping any of them. Our amazing sponsors have sent us products, but we’re giving them all away. Each member of our 10-blogger team will be donating all of the review items to local charities.

We’ll still be doing giveaways. You’ll still have lots of chances to enter to win. (And trust me… You’re going to WANT to enter!)  If you win, you’ll have the choice. You can choose to keep the prize or give it away. That’s totally up to you.

Let the Giving Begin

If this all sounds interesting to you, come along for the ride! I bet you’ll never look at giving the same again after this month. If you want to jump in, here’s what to do next.

• Brainstorm some ways that you (or your family) could give during November. If you want to be really organized, you can print a giving calendar from the 30-Day Giving website.
• Find a notebook, journal, or just a sheet of paper. You could even start a new file on your computer. However you want to do it, come up with a way to document your giving. Make it something that’s easy for you to update.
• Start giving. Try to give in some way each day.
• Stop back regularly to enter the giveaways. You’ll get to show your support of companies with a heart for giving, and you’ll have the chance to win some great prizes. You can subscribe to the Saving & Giving daily email if you want a reminder sent to your inbox each day, or you can follow along on Facebook.
• If you’re a blogger, you can also come and link up at the 30-Day Challenge website. We’ll be offering linkup opportunities each week!

I’m certainly not hosting this challenge alone, so you might also want to follow the other 9 bloggers who are co-hosting the 30-Day Giving Challenge. You’ll be able to read their giving stories and enter the giveaways on their sites too.

30-Day Giving Challenge on Facebook | Twitter

The 30-Day Giving Challenge Bloggers:

4tunate on Facebook | Twitter
Amy Loves It! on Facebook | Twitter
For the Mommas on Facebook | Twitter
Frugal Femina on Facebook | Twitter
Keeping the Kingdom First on Facebook | Twitter
Life…Your Way on Facebook | Twitter
My Blessed Life on Facebook | Twitter
Resourceful Mommy on Facebook | Twitter
Saving & Giving on Facebook | Twitter
The Finer Things in Life on Facebook | Twitter