Cris de Borja

What is #GivingTuesday?We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. This year help us create #GivingTuesday. A new day for giving back. On Tuesday December 3, 2013, global charities, families, businesses, community centers, students and more will come together to create #GivingTuesday.

It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Be a part of a national celebration of our great tradition of generosity.

My interpretation of Giving Tuesday is that if you can donate to a charitable organization, then that is wonderful. However, the celebration of generosity does not have to be — should not be — only a monetary thing. Many of us can’t give money, or donate goods or time to a cause.

Some of us can donate words or art to a cause. We can write a post, update, or tweet on our thoughts about giving. We can make an infographic or a funny image-with-text on the topic.

There is another level, as well. Take the time on December 3rd to give a comment, a like, a kudo, a +1, a reshare, and so on to something that made you smile or made you think. Echo blog it on to another platform: take that link off of Facebook and post it to LJ. Link from that Pintrest to blogspot. A cut-and-paste will usually do the trick.

This is important for fans. What creator (of fanwork or original work) has not felt the happiness of seeing a comment or other indication that the work affected someone? If you read fanfic or look at fanart, leave a comment or review for the creator! Link to something that you liked, even if it is old and “everyone” has seen it. If you read someone’s thoughts, or see that person’s photography, get past your reticence and let them know that the connection happened.

If you are a creator, share. Be bold (or modest) on Giving Tuesday and put that work out there.

Generosity is an outward act. There can be great satisfaction in giving. We all have something to give.