Live to Give - Parent Newsletter
The Live to Give mindset teaches the importance of serving others while maximizing our own potential. It tells us that abundance in life is a cycle: that, in order receive love, respect, and financial security, we must first learn to give those things to others. This mindset also teaches us that the greatest gift we can ever give is to find and leverage our unique genius to maximize our positive impact on the world, knowing the good things will be returned to us in kind. In the lessons for this mindset, we guide students to think about the impact they want to make and the legacy they want to leave.
Four Critical Components
1. Stretch Yourself – Live to Give can sound a bit selfish. While the best way to get what we want is to give what we can, the real point is to give because it is the right thing to do. When we live our best lives, we do the things we’re great at and get the best results. These results benefit us as well as others and the world around us, and that is the reason to do it. Oprah Winfrey gives millions of dollars to charity, but none of that will likely impact the world as much as the inspiration her talk show provided to billions. Great teachers have an immense impact simply by being great teachers. We give the most simply by being our best and living our ultimate lives.
2. Make a Difference – The easiest and quickest way to feel better and become happier is to help someone else. Similarly, the best way to bring more good things into our lives is to start giving. When we do this, we create value with your life and begin to receive value in return. In order to start or expand the flow of abundance in our lives, we must simply start making a difference every day in every little way that we can.
3. Receive Gracefully – One of the hardest things for people to deal with when they start living their dreams is that they’re uncomfortable receiving the new and wonderful things that come into their lives. They may not feel worthy or know how to react. As a result, when opportunity knocks or people want to help them, they shut the door and don’t allow themselves to accept what the universe is offering them. The problem is that these gifts could be a source of adding joy, fulfillment, and opportunity to their lives. If we don’t receive gracefully, we cut off the cycle of giving and limit our own potential.
Top 5 DOs and DON'Ts
Top 5 Dos and Don'ts at Home
1) Do look for ways you and your children can help others and the world. There are a number of websites and community outreach programs through which we can share our gifts and talents with others. If you or your children are comfortable with the elderly, look for ways to make connections with them and give back in that way. If your children want to help by packing food in boxes, find a way they can do that in your community. As a family, it’s important to establish traditions of giving back to help others.
1) Do look for ways you and your children can help others and the world. There are a number of websites and community outreach programs through which we can share our gifts and talents with others. If you or your children are comfortable with the elderly, look for ways to make connections with them and give back in that way. If your children want to help by packing food in boxes, find a way they can do that in your community. As a family, it’s important to establish traditions of giving back to help others.
2) Do consider what you’re demonstrating to your children as you use your gifts and talents to help others. By living your dreams and maximizing your potential, you will find that others will also benefit from you living your best possible life.
3) Don’t refuse help from others. Often, we are reluctant to let others take care of us. Some of us just aren’t comfortable receiving gracefully. If this is something you struggle with, work on just saying “thank you” when someone offers to do something for you or compliments you. Understanding the power of not just giving but also receiving will prepare you for all that living your dreams will be sending your way.
4) Don’t ignore opportunities to help out in the community and around the world. There are a number of ways to give, both financially and physically. Sometimes it might just be an afternoon of helping out an elderly neighbor, but the impact on your child lasts forever. Find ways to help others so that you can leave that legacy for your children. They need to see “Live to Give” in action to know what it can look like.
5) Do recognize the impact you are having on your children every day. You are a role model and will leave a legacy for them for the rest of their lives. What do you want that legacy to be? It’s important to consider the tremendous impact you have and how pursuing your own dreams can encourage them to pursue their
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
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