I'm sure everyone has both asked and has been asked this question many times in their life. Seems simple enough, doesn't it.
I suppose that most people have "something" in the back of their mind that they do want or "something" that they were thinking about giving the person they are asking but, since I actually DO have a birthday coming up soon, I started thinking about this.
Maybe it's that I'm getting older, having more stuff or just becoming more settled lately, but I really don't want anything for me because I asked myself, DO I REALLY NEED ANYTHING?
Most of you, if you're reading this and if asked, would have to, honestly, answer "No, I don't really need anything."
What if we all just made birthdays an opportunity to ask people to give the value of all the stuff we get from family and friends to people and organisations that really DO need things. Things like food, clothing, medical care & supplies, housing...or even just friendship and caring?
I know that sounds a bit like a beauty pageant answer but just imagine what that could do? After all, everybody has a birthday...and it would cost a thing to redirect that value?
I don't know how to make it start to happen but I'm going to at least try to start it this year. I don't have a single cause to dedicate this to but will be asking family and friends to start by not giving to me. Give to someone or an organisation that does give back to the world. People, animals, environment...I don't care...lots of stuff needs fixing...
I'm not really being all that philanthropic here - it's just that I have all the "stuff" I need and want.
So, just in case you were planning on giving me a present for my birthday...please don't... but I'd love to hear about to whom or to where you did give something. Maybe it will give me some ideas. Maybe I'll take some time to actually get organised and start a fund that can make a difference.
So, the challenge is, "Do you really need something for your birthday?"
