What do you think about when you hear the words May Day?
Do you think about the distress signal letting people know you need help?
OR
Do you think about May Day when you were little and the fun and thrill of giving and getting May Baskets filled with goodies of all shapes and sizes.
I think of May Baskets!
My sisters and I, as well as my son and I, loved making and giving May baskets. Our May Baskets were made of many types of materials. Sometimes we used construction paper to make a basket shaped like an ice cream cone, other times it was a plastic cup. Truth be told, we used what we had, just like in life, we use what we have. Oh my gosh, all the baskets sitting in a row waiting to be filled. We then took great care to choose the perfect combination of candy to fill the baskets for friends in the neighborhood.
If we were going to surprise my mom, we would put flowers in them.
If we were on top of things, we made them early or some years we made them right after school, regardless, May 1st would finally arrive. We would come home from school, if it was a school day, gather up the May baskets and go door to door delivering them to the neighbor's porch, pound on the door and run run run run run run fast before anybody could see who left the May basket. Once finished, we would race home to discover that somebody had left a May basket on our door. If the neighbors delivered before we did, we would hear a knock on the door and dart to see who left that May basket. Yet, they were often quicker than we were, and it was left anonymously.
So, what does May Day have to do with leadership? Sometimes we need to ask for help – it truly is a Mayday call, but that’s another newsletter. Giving helps with our transformation into becoming the leaders we want to be. Leaders give because that’s who they are. Giving to help the other person have a better day or maybe help them in their career is the right thing to do, and leaders do it without the expectation of “getting” anything in return.
However, what typically happens is that as a leader, you receive the satisfaction of knowing you helped someone grow and achieve their goals and when you help others achieve their goals, they ultimately help you achieve your goals.
Giving comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s also so much more fun than receiving even though when you're a kid you think receiving is where it’s at.
The quote above states that the happiest people aren't those who get more but those who give more is truer than we could ever have imagined.
I read somewhere that at least once in everybody's life it's important to give something anonymously. I encourage you to give something anonymously with no expectation of credit or recognition from the organization or person who received your gift. When you give you receive.
10 ideas on what or how to give back on May Day or any day.
Your time is probably the most precious and most valuable thing you can ever give someone.
Mow somebody's lawn or shovel the driveway after a snowstorm
Make cookies and give them to your neighbors or bring some to work for no reason at all.
Send a card, a text, an email, or call (yes pick up that phone and talk to the person) with a note of encouragement. I found that when I take the time to send them a card or let them know I'm thinking about them nine times out of 10 the person you have reached out to shares with me that your message arrived on a day when they needed it the most.
Smile - is easy to give away a simple smile and you’ll probably get one back.
Acknowledge someone for a job well done!
Ask someone at work if they need anything on that project they’ve been working on.
Hold the door for someone
Invite a friend to go for a walk
Spend time with someone and listen to what’s going on in their life
On this May Day, let us remember:
The best way we can help somebody is to just simply be there and give without the expectation of getting anything in return.
Take a minute or two and decide what you want to “give away” on May Day or any day. I’m confident you’ll get back far more than you give even though you’re doing it with no expectation of receiving anything in return.
My wish for you this summer is one of relaxation and time spent with family and friends.
You got this and I have your back.
Ann
