It’s the morning of Black Friday and I’m snuggled up with my son enjoying a quiet peaceful morning in bed. We are being lazy, relaxing, just enjoying the stillness of the day and appreciating the 4-day break from our regular routine.
I’ve never been a Black Friday shopper. Considering I don’t like shopping or crowds, it’s pretty easy to understand why. I’m not sure if Black Friday was always like this when I was young, but lately I feel as if Black Friday is quickly stealing the spirit of Thanksgiving. Instead of people preparing for a spiritual release of gratitude on Thanksgiving, they are mapping out their shopping strategy.
People are choosing to stand in line on Thanksgiving to grab that great deal instead of taking a day to pause, to be with family, and appreciate all they have in their lives. Personally, I just don’t get it.
To me, there is such a strong disconnect between Thanksgiving and Black Friday. So on this Black Friday, the day after joyfully giving thanks for all I have in my life, I am going to celebrate and focus on Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday is the Tuesday after Cyber Monday and is a second day of giving thanks. #GivingTuesday is a day of giving at the start of the annual holiday shopping season to show that holiday shopping can be about both giving and giving back. #GivingTuesday is about helping others and celebrating the great American spirit of contribution.
On Tuesday, November 27, 2012, the collective power of charities, families, businesses and individuals will transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. #GivingTuesday is a new national moment dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday has become a day that is about holiday shopping
#GivingTuesday is creating a great tradition of generosity and is showing how Americans can do much more with our wallets than just consume.
To help make this initiative a huge success, go to http://www.givingtuesday.org and help us create this fabulous day of giving!
I wrote this post as part of The Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrates on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health. Our Motto: Individually we are all powerful. Together we can change the world. We believe in the power of collective action to help others and believe in ourselves to make this world a better place for our children and the world’s children.
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