Giving It Forward–An invitation

In loving memory of my sister, Jerri Lynn, who fought many life battles, I am starting a Giving It Forward campaign. This is not a fundraiser, it’s more of an awareness-raiser. It is about connection, reaching out, and believing. It’s about being real and being open-hearted.

There are as many ways of giving it forward as there are people on the planet. No two of us are the same and we all have gifts—ways to touch others for good—that can enrich our lives as well as those around us.

I learned this lesson as a teenager. A leader in our local church youth group freely shared her excitement for life. But more importantly, she believed those she served also had something to offer. She had a talent for giving it forward.

From Miracles in the Dark

At the end of my sophomore year, terror and powerlessness hung over me like the Grim Reaper’s blade. Invisible walls sprung up around me, alienating me from friends and blocking my heart from any peace the Holy Spirit offered… I wandered aimlessly the next few months down what seemed to be a pre-destined dark path.

My wandering was halted by a call from my church youth leader, Sister Slade. How did she know to call? She asked for my help in choreographing a dance that all the girls would perform at an upcoming activity for the whole region. Surprised that she knew I liked to dance, I agreed—and then wished I hadn’t… The scheduled meeting with her came and went. I stayed home and figured she wouldn’t notice.

But she did. She called and asked if everything was all right. I lied, said I just forgot, and that it was okay for her to go ahead and use someone else. Instead, she reassured me that it was no problem and that she would wait for me…

Music echoed in the nearly empty place. I followed its sound to the activity room where Sister Slade toyed with a portable record player and an album of old-timey songs…

A Glimpse of Me

Sister Slade gave me a little bit of a dance lesson, showing me basic steps. “Great! You have a natural rhythm, Tammy.” Her words ignited a light spot in me for a moment; my brain quickly extinguished it. She played the song again and put a few moves together to start the dance. “What do you think?” she asked. Honestly, I did not know what to think or what she wanted from me. I nodded in approval.  She asked what should come next and my brain kind of froze. I just stared at her.

“Here, do the steps with me a few times.” My stomach knotted. It felt like my feet were made of lead as I did an Eeyore-like mimic of her steps. She smiled at my hesitancy, “Again.” More steps, more encouragement. Slowly the heaviness left, and I was lost in the rhythm of my feet gliding across the floor. With each step, my body felt more free. “Now, let your body tell you what should come next.” I moved with more energy, and the knots in my stomach turned into butterflies as ideas flowed naturally from my body.

Sister Slade and I met several more times, and I went home those evenings feeling a little lighter, like something good inside me was waking up and coming to the surface. A new me was born, and the hopeless, terrorized part of me was boxed away out of sight.

Off and on during my life, people had done nice things for me. Their kindness gave me hope in the world, glimpses of strength, and made me feel good about them. But Sister Slade’s needing me and allowing me to contribute gave me hope in myself and made me feel good about me. At 16, a new urge sprung to life. I wanted to break out and find the real me.  

What Gifts Do We Have?

This Giving It Forward campaign is about reaching deeper and finding ways we can use our interactions for good. Sometimes, words of encouragement can calm a doubting heart. A heart-felt, yet simple, thank-you can re-energize a tired friend. Compassionate listening can help a friend feel a renewed sense of worth. Believing in the gifts that others have to give can lift a sinking soul back into the light.

The point is in being aware of those we come in contact with, and finding simple ways to acknowledge and lift each other.

Examples of Giving It Forward

Jodi Orgill Brown recently gave tribute to her nephew who passed recently. She invited others to “do some good and bring joy to others in Jared’s memory.” https://www.instagram.com/p/C1qgwTiLgIY/

Mark Carpenter www.master-storytelling.com shared a challenge to send at least one gratitude text a day to a random person on your contact list. He was inspired by Chris Shembra on the Selling from the Heart podcast  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_SKGwQ9e4&t=16s

Each of these are good examples of giving it forward.

What Can We do?

Opening our hearts is key to finding the gifts that reside there. Sometimes it takes leaving our comfort zone. I’m grateful for the youth leader who invited me out of my comfort zone to discover the dancer inside me and encouraged me to share it with others.

I invite you to join the Giving It Forward campaign. Find ways to acknowledge the impact for good others have had on our lives, and pass it on.

–Tammy René