So kidney donation isn't the average gift, and yet it's got me thinking a lot about giving. In what ways do I naturally give, and in what ways have I not shared of myself or not really considered? There are different ways we can give, and often time and money come to mind. But we also give in subtler ways throughout the day that include love and attention, knowledge/advice, health, touch, leadership, hope, life, and laughter. There are areas where I'm in my comfort zone of giving, such as my leadership on a board, helping with my daughter's school, hosting fundraisers, annual charitable donations, etc. And this is a useful reflection, because it likely shows me my gifts and ways that I enjoy giving. But I also started thinking about where I can be stingy or afraid. In fact, I have always been too afraid to give blood. And so last month, in honor of Christian, because the doctors determined I couldn't give him a kidney, I went to the Red Cross. For some, donating blood is simple, but it was still a big deal for me. I did it for the first time, and it felt good. And while it isn't giving a kidney, it did stretch me, and I have committed to donating blood once a year. Being in my stretch zone allows me to grow.

But in personal growth there is an important distinction between the stretch and panic zones, and that applies to giving as well. There can be a risk of giving more than we have, resulting in burnout and depletion. There is no magic formula, and so we need to be tuned into when and how we can give, so that the giving energy is flowing and renewing. "Giving is as good for the giver as it is for the receiver. Science says it's so. We'll be happier, healthier, and even-- odds are -- live a little longer if we're generous.".- Steven Post, Why Good Things Happen to Good People

Giving is one of the great spiritual practices. I invite you to explore it a little more deeply with me.

This was one of those books I picked up a while ago at a used book store, and I hadn't read until I started thinking about this topic recently. Jamal and McKinnon present the reader with a structured way to think about giving: 1) Why give, 2) What can I give, 3) To whom should I give, 4) How, when, where, and how much to give 5) Giving up (reflecting on unsupportive habits I can give up so that I have more capacity to give). Great food for thought, interesting reflection questions, and inspiring stories how we can all make a difference in our own way. It's a straightforward, easy-to-read book that I think readers will find helpful to become more intentional about giving, as well as to reflect and honor ways in which they already give.