What's your culture around giving?

It's Giving Tuesday as I type this.  

Following the thanksgiving holiday, the Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads, deals, shopping, and possibly buying frenzy (or the staying away from email and stores to avoid it) comes this day, a relatively recent event (2012), that encourages a focus on others.  

A friend from Taiwan highlighted a related cultural norm in our conversation today:

His father, in his mid-eighties, continues to live in Taiwan in good health.  He mentioned how local cases (and deaths) of COVID are extremely low and they are living a relatively "normal" life with schools, businesses, and activities open.  While there are many facets to this success, some of it is congruent with the same expert medical advice that has been given around the world...Wearing masks, hand sanitizer, hand washing...  In Taiwan, these were not new, and were immediately implemented and respected. "There, people look at you funny if you DON'T wear a mask," he described.  

Given that mask wearing has been advised as a primary means to protect others (e.g. my mask protects you more from my germs than protecting me from you), it also may be congruent that it comes with less resistance in cultures with a more collective focus.  

In a dominantly individualistic culture, we instead witness (or experience) greater reluctance - I don't want to.  It's not comfortable.  It's a violation of my freedom and individual rights! 

Ultimately, this email isn't intended to be about mask-wearing (though please do take it as my personal encouragement, for whatever that's worth, to continue to be safe and protect your loved ones - and non-loved ones too - by wearing masks!)

Whether we are in an individualistic or collectivist culture, we can create traditions and pathways for focusing, at least at times, on others.  

I know you do this, or we wouldn't be having this exchange right now!  You caring about others is what brought you here.  One way or the other...

Which leads to the second part of this exchange...

How do you enjoy practicing this focus on others?  What are your favorite ways to give?  Join my email list and let me know. I'd love to hear more about the ways that giving is important in your life! 

You matter.  You can make a difference.  I'm so thankful you're here.