No one has ever become poor by giving.
- Anne Frank
Today is Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, a celebration that precedes the intentionally austere time of Christian Lent. Whatever your beliefs or traditions, during this cold and leafless period after the New Year and before the signs of spring, I hope you will consider being generous as well as simplifying or giving up certain things.
The 40-day Christian Lenten period prepares the believer through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial, for Easter – the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many Christian traditions proscribe certain dietary restrictions during this time and even days of fasting, while others ask their followers to give up a certain well-loved food or activity of their choosing. Many Chrisitians are also called upon to give alms during this time. In Christian traditions, almsgiving, which is charitable giving to the poor often in an unplanned way, is distinguished from tithing, which is a calculated charitable gift that is often given to institutions (like churches).
Beyond the Christian traditions, this time of practicing simplicity, generosity and looking inward in the spare winter months is common in many cultures and religions, going back to hunter-gatherer and agrarian societies. In our modern, 24-hour, globalized culture, these customs are more challenging to practice except on intentional retreats or on purposefully relaxed vacations. However, generosity and alms giving are 2 things you can practice even in the midst of a relentless schedule.
For the next 40 days (that would be until April 5th) please consider being more generous as a winter practice. You might decide to pay close attention during this time to people you encounter that have financial needs, and try to give them something. This might be a person asking on the street, someone with a collection can at the supermarket, or anyone you meet who has lost their job. The opportunities are all around you every day if you are looking for them.
If you need a reminder, consider wearing a green string on your wrist for the next 40 days. After that, it may become part of how you normally navigate your world.
February 24th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Whenever I encountered someone asking for money at an intesection, I felt put upon having to dig for my wallet. I would think, “How many times am I going to have to do this.” A couple of years ago I decided to keep a dollar bill in the ashtray–also my parking change reservoir–to make it easier to get to. Somehow I now realize how infrequently I have to use and replace that bill instead of complaining about the difficulty of reaching for my wallet. Try it!
February 25th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Thanks Steve,
I am glad you are not a smoker (!) and appreciate this helpful tip… Inspiring for me.
February 26th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I am, as a Unitarian, using your idea to observe Lent. Thank you so much!