This past week, my friend Dom Piccini helped distribute over 19,000 turkeys to needy families in Connecticut, as part of FoodShare’s efforts to eliminate hunger and bring relief to needy families.

Also, my friend Jolly Lux flew to Uganda to begin a three week trip to deliver medical and educational supplies and support to HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in rural villages, as part of her work leading the nonprofit organization, Guiding Light Orphanage, Inc.

These two individuals inspire me. They are difference makers. They incorporate giving and gratitude on a daily basis, in their personal lives, as well as in their professional pursuits.

But what can the rest of us mere mortals do?

Good news! We can give, too. Starting today…

What is #GivingTuesday?

We have an old established day for giving thanks (i.e.,Thanksgiving Day in the USA).  We also have two recently developed days recognized for getting great deals (i.e., Black Friday and Cyber Monday). Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back.

#GivingTuesday was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. Together with a team of influencers and founding partners, they launched a global movement that has engaged over 10,000 organizations worldwide.

When I first heard about #GivingTuesday, it sounded like a clever marketing campaign. But it’s much more than that.  It’s a well timed reminder and invitation to act upon the need to help others. I believe that we are all connected, and that by helping others, including strangers as well as our own kinfolk, we can change the world for the good.

On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

But of course, it doesn’t have to end on Tuesday. Giving can and should continue year round. It can be part of your Practice of gratitude.

Attitude versus Practice

You’ve probably heard of the expression, attitude of gratitude. Everybody needs to develop an attitude of gratitude.

Each morning before I get out of bed, I make a short list of 3 things that I am grateful for, and 3 things that I’m looking forward to that day. It helps me start my day with a positive attitude, versus a negative attitude or feelings of obligation, overwhelm, or dread.

In addition to our thoughts and attitude, it’s important  to put gratitude into practice. Perhaps Brene Brown explains it best. I’m currently listening to her  audio book, The Power of Vulnerability. She is of my favorite authors, TED.com presenters, and modern day thought leaders. In her decade of research on shame and shame resilience, she has found that cultivating gratitude and joy is one of the ten guideposts of people who live wholeheartedly.

Brene pulled this humorous example from her own life to distinguish the difference between having an attitude of gratitude and an actual practice of gratitude.

“One of my regular examples is that of yoga. I have a yoga attitude. I have yoga clothes. I live in yoga pants, actually. Somewhere in my house I have a yoga mat. I do not practice yoga. (Audience laughter).  So if you ask me to do something up here, how far do you think my attitude of yoga will carry me in this process?  It cannot. The same is true of gratitude. You can have an attitude of gratitude, but what is your practice? What are you doing every day to put that out there?” – Brene Brown

Philanthropy is an excellent way to practice gratitude

A great way to exercise your gratitude muscles is by donating money to worthy causes that you believe in. It doesn’t have to be millions of dollars (unless you are fortunate to have that to give). Every dollar you give helps.

You can begin your practice of gratitude this Tuesday, #GivingTuesday. Then continue your practice of gratitude every Tuesday for as long as you live. You’ll be thankful that you did!