Frost it Forward

Generosity matters, during the holidays and beyond…

The holiday season might be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to spread a little cheer. A random act of kindness can start a ripple effect of optimism and generosity to those around us. Whether you’re spotting someone for their groceries at the market, buying coffee for the person behind you in line, or helping someone in a time of need… random acts of kindness and generosity have the power to spark long-lasting happiness and help create meaningful and deep connections with others.

Life can oftentimes be stressful and it’s so easy for us to get in a rut, but trying our best to choose optimism even when things are hard can help to keep us calm and at peace. It also aids in reminding us of the things that are truly important in life. One of the greatest things being: loving and serving others.

That’s where Frost Bank comes in.

“Frost believes that random acts of kindness are catalysts for optimism, and we are on a mission to make the world a more optimistic place.” – Frost Bank

Since the summer of 2018, Frost has spearheaded a mission to spread optimism and generosity within their community through their Opt for Optimism initiative. Their main goal has been to show others the impact that one single act of kindness can have. Not only in the lives of people and strangers that we interact with throughout our every day but also within the community. Generosity breeds optimism. When you come from a generous heart, and with an optimistic mindset you can help serve as a catalyst for joy and light in someone’s life.

One thing that rings true, is that we never really know what others are going through. You might see someone walking down the street that seems like they have it all together. Yet inside, they’re breaking. We must always spread kindness and joy to others. There are so many amazing and simple ways to share generosity with those around us.

Simple Ways to Spread Kindness to Those Around Us:

• Pay for the customer behind you in line at the grocery store, coffee shop, or bookstore. If you don’t know their total – drop the cash for them at the register!

• Surprise a stranger with fresh flowers. I’m constantly buying fresh blooms for our home. Blooms serve as a great way to brighten up a space and also brighten someone’s day! If you have a few extra dollars, purchase some additional flowers at your local market, and hand them off to a random stranger.

• Drop a nice note or card at someone’s doorstep. Sometimes we just need a little reminder to know that we’re doing okay. Leave a nice note of encouragement at someone’s doorstep. Let them know that they’re doing just fine, that they’ve got this, or simply that they are loved.

• Give someone your time. Time is one of the most precious gifts we can give to others. Invest in someone by visiting a local nursing home and spending time talking with them, laughing with them, or listening to their story.

• Donate clothing to your local shelter. Purchase a new workout top or sweater from TJ Maxx and take it to your local shelter! Donating new clothing or any clothing to those in need is a great way to give your clothes a new life for those that need it the most.

• Volunteer at a nearby food bank. Volunteering at your local food bank is another great way to give your time back to the community. Picking up food donations and delivering them to the food bank is a great way to help.

There are countless opportunities to volunteer in your community. Frost has partnered with CultureMap and they put together lists of charities and volunteer opportunities for most of the major cities in Texas! For opportunities in Austin, you can go to Austin CultureMap and for opportunities in Houston, you can go to Houston CultureMap. Additionally, For a full list of ways that you can start volunteering in Austin, TX today, head here for Austin Volunteer Options and here for nonprofit opportunities in Central Austin.

I’ve partnered with Frost Bank and joined forces in order to continue to spread optimism awareness by empowering you to spread generosity as well! Visit optforoptimism.com to learn more about how you can get involved and start spreading generosity and optimism.

I’m so excited about this campaign because it is something that is near and dear to my heart. Nathan and I have recently been talking about ways that we want to give back to others, and a lot of those ways involve us stepping outside of our comfort zones. I’m challenging you to step out of your comfort zone this year too to find ways in which you can spread optimism and joy to those around you by making a stranger’s day a little bit brighter.

Find ways to start spreading light and love to those around you by learning more about Frost Bank’s  Opt For Optimism initiative here.

photography by Madeline Harper.