A Charitable Foundation

This time of year is “season” in Florida. Evey weekend there are events, fundraisers, and parties scheduled while the weather is gorgeous and before the snow-bird residents drive back to New York, Toronto and the like. It is also the season of Lent, which for many Christians is a time to focus on an increase of prayer, sacrifice and charitable giving in preparation for Easter Sunday. The overlap in these two seasons is the inclusion of charity. I’ve gone to chef events raising money for the under-privileged and I’ve donated to church-sponsored organizations helping those in need. However, I believe there is a third way to express Charity: being charitable to our fellow humans.

Having a charitable foundation doesn’t have to mean building a 501-c3…it can mean communicating with understanding, flexibility and kindness with everyone around us. Co-workers are lagging in their project?  Take the time to understand that their workload includes more than your project.  Driver cuts you off in traffic? Consider they may have been distracted by their own stress with their to-do list and may have accidentally cut in front of you. Person at a store acting rude? Maybe no one has smiled at them today. Friends or family annoying you with too much (or too little) information? Try hearing them out (or reaching out to say hi) and let the conversation happen. Being charitable on the day-to-day level can be just as impactful as a large donation at the gala next weekend.