A lot of times when we hear the word “give,” our minds jump straight to the tangible. Money, gifts, expensive gestures. And to be fair, that’s the kind of giving that gets celebrated. “Oh, he gifted a car to so-and-so,” “She paid his fees,” “He donated a million.” It's valid. It's beautiful. People with the means to do that kind of giving deserve their flowers. That generosity does impact lives. But I’ve come to learn that giving isn’t always loud or flashy. Sometimes, it means something so small and minute that people might not even notice and still very powerful.
Personally, I used to think giving had to be grand. I felt like if I couldn’t make a big statement, then I wasn’t really doing enough. But sometimes it's doesn't always have to be that way. Just today, something so small happened, yet it hit deeply. I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in years, someone I only know through my aunt. We’re not close, but the first thing she said to me was, “Are you better now? I asked of you last week and heard you were sick. I was worried.” I paused. I was quite surprised. I didn’t even know she had me in mind. But right there, in that short moment, it felt like she had given me a gift, her thoughtfulness. And it stayed with me all day.
That encounter reminded me to look inward. To ask myself, how am I giving to the people close to me? Yes, the world is large, and I may not be able to create a world-changing invention or touch millions at once, but I can start small. I can start with the people next to me. The world is large, but I love to start giving from the people closest to me. My family, friends, and generally anybody next to me. I can offer my presence, my time, my energy. I can be intentional about showing up, even in little ways that don’t require a grand announcement.
It’s easy to assume people are fine. To think “they’ll tell me if something is wrong.” But truth is, they might not. Lately, I’ve noticed that some of my close friends and I haven’t been as tight. We don’t talk as much, and it’s easy to blame it on life being busy. But I know how it feels when a simple "I’m just checking on you” text lands in my inbox. Itcertainly warms up my heart. So I’m choosing to be that person for the people I love, to check in, to reach out, to not always wait for a reason.
I don’t have all the time or answers, but I’m learning that being reliable, even in small ways, makes life a bit easier for those around me. Just knowing someone sees you, hears you, and is willing to be there? That’s a gift too. Problems won’t vanish, but a little support can go a long way.
So yeah, that’s the gift I want to keep giving. Not always physical, but definitely real. My presence. My time. My willingness to show up. Life keeps moving fast, but I want the people in my life to know that they matter to me, not just in words, but in how I show up for them.
