Soulcare: Giving
Dec 18, 2024
By: Marcus Young
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
One of my earliest memories of being generous happened when I was very young—so young, in fact, that the story comes to me more through the retelling by my parents than through my own recollection. I recall sitting in the back seat of a family friend’s car driving around the city of Santa Monica. Our family friend had left his coat in the backseat and now it was draped over my lap. I loved the way the soft coat felt under my fingers, warm and comforting.
As we stopped at a traffic light, I noticed a homeless man standing on the corner. His figure seemed fragile, his clothes worn and thin, with a cardboard sign that I couldn’t read. His face carried a mix of tiredness and hope as he glanced at each passing car. Without thinking, I grabbed the soft coat and handed it out the window. The man hesitated for a moment, as if surprised, but then took it with a smile and a heartfelt "thank you." I didn’t think much of it—I just felt it was the right thing to do.
When we pulled away, the air rushed into the car, colder now without the coat on my lap. My mom glanced back at me, her face a mix of surprise and admiration. Later that day, our friend asked about his coat, and my parents explained what had happened. I don’t remember their exact words, but I remember the warmth of their tone, as if they were proud of me for doing something kind without being told. Even though the memory feels hazy, like a story I’ve adopted as my own, that moment became a cornerstone for how I approach generosity.
Sometimes the simplest acts, done without hesitation or overthinking, can be the most meaningful.
Since then, I’ve given in many ways—donating to charities, finding meaningful gifts, and offering support when needed. Generosity is accessible to all; even small acts like a kind word or thoughtful gesture can create a lasting impact.
