I often find myself wondering how I could be generous to others. Being a parent has opened my eyes of how Generous we need to be, and not only being generous but being patient. Being generous doesn’t have to mean giving out money, it can be the art of giving others what we take for granted. I sat down yesterday and came up with way to be generous. This may not happen today, or even a year down the road but I would like to get some of it done. I would like to be a generous person and always think about others before myself (not saying I wont spend good on myself, but to even help one person would be a praise).

II Corinthians 8:7
“But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.”

Here is some ways you can generous.

1) Buy some amounts of gift cards from fast food restaurants (5-10 dollars) & hand them out to homeless/people looking for food.

2) Buy someone else’s groceries
– even if it is just a $1 candy bar for the person behind you.

3) Do someone else’s job
– If your husband always cuts the grass, sneak out before him and get it done.

4) Offer/Buy someone else’s coffee.

5) Be Nice
– Say Hi to strangers as you pass by.

6) Appreciate People
– Drop notes to friends/family
– Leave a generous tip

7) Make a difference

8) Give things you can make
– Plant a garden and give as much of the bounty away to others.

9) Give your time
– Volunteer somewhere

10) Give Your Patience
– Volunteer with preschoolers at a church or Sunday school, or help as an assistant.

11) Purchase a few cans/boxes to help out a local food bank.
– Most local grocery stores have a local food back they sponsor.

12) Pray for someone
– Ask if there is anything you can help pray about.

13) Donate to a toy drive
– Instead of throwing toys away

14) Walk dogs at a shelter.

15) Color A Smile
– Let your child help out! You can make someone smile today.

16) Donate your hair to Locks of Love.

17) Help spinal cord injury victims.

18) Participate in a marathon/walkathon.

19) Buy a bird-feeder and keep it full.

20) Brag about someone to others, while they stand there listening.

21) Help someone by paying one of their bills.

22) When someone compliments you about something – give it to them.

23) Save coins for a month or two and then give it to a special organization.

24) Clean someone’s house/apartment for free.

25) Babysit for someone so they can go run errands/have a date night.

26) Go to a Senior Citizen’s home & visit.

27) Hold a door for someone

28) Forgive a person’s shortcomings/mistakes.

We get so tied up into our busy schedules that we often don’t think about others. We just focus on the “now” and “today”. I hope this list helps you in thinking about how to make someone smile, I often think of ways too and I hope I can achieve some of these.