Giving Back: Time, Talents, & Treasures
Giving Back
She watches the total on the register tally up, each ding chiming the ever increasing dent this is going to make on her bank account. The cashier rapidly scans each item with tired eyes and an obvious need for a shift break. She tries to feign indifference, but this is the second trip to the grocery store this week and with the upcoming holidays and price tag on flights home during this time of year, it's difficult to suppress the surge of worry in her heart. After the cashier scans the final item and tosses it into the bag, he looks up and asks, "Would you like to help an orphan today by donating to the Worldwide Orphans Foundation?" Anxious and feeling put on the spot, she politely declines, "Not today," and pushes her brimming cart out the door, trying to shake off the guilt and worry churning up her stomach.
We've all been there. And with the upcoming holiday season, one can feel constantly hounded to give with an added increase of stress about money. It's all too easy to respond to these emotions by either not giving at all or giving in a haphazard manner. But this isn't how it should be at all. Maya Angelou wrote, "No one has ever become poor from giving." There is great joy in giving and an unspeakable richness that fills the heart especially during this time of year. We've found that if we incorporate more intentionality into the way we give, it doesn't feel so much like a burden but a pleasure.
Giving is so much more than a dollar at the grocery store. It can be smiling at the cashier who hasn't been truly noticed all day. It can be stepping up and stopping someone who is being bullied or left out amongst your coworkers or your friend group. It can be calling a babysitter and spending intentional time with your partner or a friend who needs a little attention and appreciation. It helps to think of the ways you can give in three categories: Time, Talent, and Treasure. Each and every one of us has been given time, talents and treasures. They weren't meant to be hoarded â it is our responsibility to share these gifts we've been given with others. Time can be one of the most difficult things to give, especially in this day and age with the ever-growing emphasis on the value of productivity and a "doing" mentality. Talents stand for your personal skills and gifts, and treasure signifies monetary wealth. Spend some time in deep thought, meditation, or prayer with these three branches in mind and choose a way to intentionally give from each one this season and hold fast to that commitment. It will help dissolve guilt and distress about money, and we promise the holiday season will be so much sweeter. There are so many ways to share and spread a little bit of your light in the world - find something you are passionate about and do it! Be creative, generous, and joyful!
At KiraGrace, we believe that families and communities make up the fabric of the world. We may have different languages and different faces, but we all have the same basic needs and desires. Service benefits both the recipient and the giver, and we consider it part of our duty and privilege to give back to those in need within our communities in the hope of building a more caring and compassionate world. Here are some ways we are giving back, and we'd love for you to join us:
Yoga Medicine Seva Project
The Seva Legging was designed in partnership with Yoga Medicine to celebrate the warrior spirit. Bold, fearless and iconic. The 2015 Warrior Collection also aims to give back.
A percentage of every purchase of the Tiffany Seva Legging will be donated to support three months of care for a child in need through Yoga Medicineâs India Seva Project. âIâm really excited to wear this new design and to see peopleâs response but Iâm even more excited to see the effect that it can have on so many peopleâs lives on the other side of the world,â said Tiffany Cruikshank, founder of Yoga Medicine. âOur project in Calcutta is one that is close to my heart and as a yogi it feels crucial to me to be able to pass on this gift of empowerment through education to these children.â
The Yoga Medicine Nabadisha Project will support the day-to-day operation of street kids shelters, preventing the trafficking of kids ages 4-15 living in the slums and red light districts of Kolkata. The shelters provide healthcare, education, nutritional meals, tutoring, job coaching, yoga classes and other recreational activities for over 525 children. Our funds will be used towards teacherâs and supervisorâs salaries, accounting, programming, transportation, and educational materials. To learn more visit Yoga Medicine.
Shop the Warrior Seva Tiffany Legging!
Cowgirls vs. Cancer
Think PINK! From October 15 - November 15, 2015, 10% of retail sales will be donated to Cowgirls vs. Cancer in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.
Cowgirls vs. Cancer provides retreat scholarships to yoginis who have experienced the physical, emotional and financial hardships of breast cancer. Their rejuvenating retreat provides something positive to look forward to, and helps their scholarship recipients heal through horses and yoga following cancer. Their hope is that through fundraising efforts, they can keep making more breast cancer survivors Cowgirl Yoginis every year.
Cowgirls vs. Cancer is offering eight scholarships to our May 26-29, 2016 Cowgirls vs. Cancer retreat. Nominate yourself or another cowgirl during October 2015, breast cancer awareness month, through November 15, 2015. We just love these wonderful women!
#22adaychallenge
We're so thrilled to be a part of the âª#â22adaychallengeâ¬!! Help us raise awareness for the 22 VETERANS that commit suicide everyday.
We encourage you to participate every day but you can also only post on days you'd like to win the DAILY PRIZE package - like a KiraGrace outfit!
Check out KiraGrace Warrior Liz Corwin's Instagram page for ways you can participate each day.
If you enjoyed this blog, check out our other blogs like: : "3 Reasons to Give: Tiffany Cruikshank on the Power of Giving," "Resources for Your Well-Being", "Resources to Nurture your Spirituality," and "A Warrior Among Us."
