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#FlashFiveFriday – Giving

This month Mr B and I are taking part in #FlashFiveFriday run by The Indie Exchange.

#FlashFiveFriday is a weekly flash fiction / flash blogging prompt.

The rules are very simple if you’d like to take part:

1) Write for no longer than five minutes

2) No upper or lower word limits

3) You must write something new

4) You can prepare your post ahead of time but the 5 minute limit still applies

5) If you add your blog post to the weekly linky you must visit five other blogs that week too to show your support

This week’s #FlashFiveFriday post

#FlashFiveFriday – Giving

Dave

There are so many individuals that prove to be selfless and altruistic, their own welfare being bottom of their list of priorities. I sometimes think that the world today is seriously flawed and that acts of kindness and generosity are dying concepts. Then I remember that there are those that still cling ever so strongly to those ideals and it is when these individuals have a chance to shine that the worst traits of so many people are washed away into insignificance.

I’ve always had a lot of respect for soldiers, the brave men and women that willingly risk their lives for their country. The wars they are sent to fight in I often don’t agree with – I’m not a pacifist but war should only be fought for a good reason and when no other options remain – but the soldiers always have my admiration and respect. They willingly give their lives for their country, their families, their friends and for their principles and beliefs.

It’s not just soldiers though. Ordinary people going about their busy lives are just as capable of giving so much for the benefit of others. Book bloggers have been highlighted this week in the Celebrating Bloggers event run by Terri Giuliano Long. Again, these are selfless individuals that give so much and ask for nothing in return. How is it possible that in a world where so many look out for themselves that we can still find generosity of this nature?

We’ve become a suspicious world and sometimes with good reason. If someone gives you something, or makes a sacrifice or kind gesture some of us are inclined to ask why. Those that give shouldn’t need to explain themselves, offer a reason. We should just be grateful that they are still around.

Donna

The word ‘giving’ often evokes thoughts of presents and gifts but there are some wonderful ways of giving that don’t have to involve money or possessions.

We give our time. Helping a friend move house. Helping a colleague prepare for a big presentation out of hours. Helping a neighbour with a broken fence. Helping a family member fix a broken computer. Our time is valuable but we know it is not as valuable as our friendships and relationships.

We give our love. To our friends, family and loved ones we give it freely, without conditions or restrictions. There are no limits or caps.

We give our thoughts. When someone you know is sick or having a tough time, when we see sad stories on the news, when we hear of our neighbours’ troubles – at those times we give our thoughts freely.

And sometimes, we give our money too. When you see a homeless man and know he needs £5 more than you want a latte and cake. Or a neighbour tells you they are running 10k or shaving their head to raise money for a good cause. Or even just because you know you can brighten someone’s day with a chocolate bar, a magazine or a book.

With so many ways of giving, there really is no reason not to be giving something every day of the week.

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