In the Spirit of Giving
http://www.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/articles/1910/1/In-the-Spirit-of-Giving/Page1.html
Leslie J Griffin
By Leslie J Griffin
Published on 10/31/2007
Retreat back to a moment in time when your parents, guardians or teachers adamantly told you to “keep your hands to yourself”. You would automatically reply, “but she hit me first”. The dialogue would continue somewhat in this fashion…“I don’t care who hit who”, “keep your hands to yourself”.
Retreat back to a moment in time when your parents, guardians or teachers adamantly told you to “keep your hands to yourself”. You would automatically reply, “but she hit me first”. The dialogue would continue somewhat in this fashion…“I don’t care who hit who”, “keep your hands to yourself”.
So we grow up hearing and rehearsing these words over and over in our heads. Keep your hands to yourself. Keep your hands to yourself. Eventually, and sometimes those five little words become ingrained in our hearts. We then translate that familiar child-hood command into how we live our lives, reach out to others and actualize our dreams. And instead of reaching out more, we tend to do just that---“keep our hands to ourselves”.
As we approach the season of giving, I want to challenge the city of Detroit and all of America to make giving more than just a “season”. I want to challenge everyone to make giving a daily part living. When our hands are tightly clinched, nothing can come in. And nothing can go out. We shut down opportunities and evacuate hope. But when our hands are open, not only are we able to receive, but we are ready to love, share and praise. We also stand in position to build communities and bind together.
The opportunity to help others in need is endless in the great city of Detroit, Michigan and all over the world. Sometimes we need to “unlearn” childhood commands that have kept us out of trouble “for the moment” and that hamper our ability to effect others in a positive way. We must expand our thinking and recognize the powerful effect of words, understand their true meanings and ask ourselves these questions…are we really okay with not utilizing our hands in a positive way? Are we content with not using our gifts and talents? And finally, are we really okay with not giving?
If our answer to these questions is unequivocally NO, then we must change and begin to reach out and enhance the lives of others. Giving is creative, unlimited and comes in many forms. I personally find joy in working with teen girls and keeping extra hats, gloves and blankets in my vehicle to give out. The smiles and hugs last a lifetime. Giving can also be your time, a kind word, a serving hand, or an ear to listen. It can even be standing up for a meaningful cause.
“Keeping our hands to ourselves” may be one of the most popular commands we remember as children, but I’m sure you’ll find that the world smiles back at you when you expand the windows of your heart.
Go ahead. Give.
Leslie J. Griffin is community relations coordinator for the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners and Office of the Chief Investigator. The mission of the Detroit Police Commission is to increase citizen confidence in the services of the Detroit Police Department and to foster communication between citizens and police.
For information on community meetings and events, please call (313) 596-2476 or contact via email at griffinl194@ci.detroit.mi.us.
Retreat back to a moment in time when your parents, guardians or teachers adamantly told you to “keep your hands to yourself”. You would automatically reply, “but she hit me first”. The dialogue would continue somewhat in this fashion…“I don’t care who hit who”, “keep your hands to yourself”.“Keep your hands to yourself”.
Retreat back to a moment in time when your parents, guardians or teachers adamantly told you to “keep your hands to yourself”. You would automatically reply, “but she hit me first”. The dialogue would continue somewhat in this fashion…“I don’t care who hit who”, “keep your hands to yourself”.
So we grow up hearing and rehearsing these words over and over in our heads. Keep your hands to yourself. Keep your hands to yourself. Eventually, and sometimes those five little words become ingrained in our hearts. We then translate that familiar child-hood command into how we live our lives, reach out to others and actualize our dreams. And instead of reaching out more, we tend to do just that---“keep our hands to ourselves”.
As we approach the season of giving, I want to challenge the city of Detroit and all of America to make giving more than just a “season”. I want to challenge everyone to make giving a daily part living. When our hands are tightly clinched, nothing can come in. And nothing can go out. We shut down opportunities and evacuate hope. But when our hands are open, not only are we able to receive, but we are ready to love, share and praise. We also stand in position to build communities and bind together.
The opportunity to help others in need is endless in the great city of Detroit, Michigan and all over the world. Sometimes we need to “unlearn” childhood commands that have kept us out of trouble “for the moment” and that hamper our ability to effect others in a positive way. We must expand our thinking and recognize the powerful effect of words, understand their true meanings and ask ourselves these questions…are we really okay with not utilizing our hands in a positive way? Are we content with not using our gifts and talents? And finally, are we really okay with not giving?
If our answer to these questions is unequivocally NO, then we must change and begin to reach out and enhance the lives of others. Giving is creative, unlimited and comes in many forms. I personally find joy in working with teen girls and keeping extra hats, gloves and blankets in my vehicle to give out. The smiles and hugs last a lifetime. Giving can also be your time, a kind word, a serving hand, or an ear to listen. It can even be standing up for a meaningful cause.
“Keeping our hands to ourselves” may be one of the most popular commands we remember as children, but I’m sure you’ll find that the world smiles back at you when you expand the windows of your heart.
Go ahead. Give.
Leslie J. Griffin is community relations coordinator for the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners and Office of the Chief Investigator. The mission of the Detroit Police Commission is to increase citizen confidence in the services of the Detroit Police Department and to foster communication between citizens and police.
For information on community meetings and events, please call (313) 596-2476 or contact via email at griffinl194@ci.detroit.mi.us.