Elliman Connection: Inbal August’s Attitude of Gratitude

Having an attitude of gratitude can sometimes act as the catalyst we need to give back to others. No one seems to know that more than Douglas Elliman agent Inbal August . Elliman Insider sat down with Inbal to learn some specific ways we can all give back in these times of need and uncertainty, and how helping others can help us more clearly see the things we are thankful for in our lives. ELLIMAN INSIDER: What are some ways you’re giving back to the community? INBAL AUGUST: In the past couple of weeks my family and I have been sharing our meals, toilet paper (seriously), toiletries and anything else others were not able to obtain. We are sharing and helping with whatever we can. We’ve prepared meals for individuals that are unable to prepare healthy meals for themselves. My daughters also wanted to be involved, so they have been drawing cards and baking cookies for our true heroes, those who are working on the frontline. Just by giving to others they are learning gratitude for the life they have. The sense of gratification that they are both experiencing is priceless. They understand that they are able to make a change in someone’s life, one smile at a time. EI: What’s inspired you to donate your time or efforts to that particular cause? IA: Life has blessed me with many good souls that have helped me and guided me throughout, so I am giving back. Challenges have taught me to be kind, humble and empathetic towards others because I know how difficult life can be. Today, I have been blessed with three beautiful humans that I’ve brought to life, who teach me and inspire me to be a better person than I was yesterday. EI: What’s the best way you think we can provide emotional and motivational support to each other through all of this? IA: Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”  Our life legacy is how we make people feel in their moments of need, doing so without them needing to ask for a helping hand. EI: What are some ways you think others can give back while still practicing social distancing? IA: Giving is practicing empathy, don’t ask, just give! Some people view asking for help as being vulnerable or weak although they are neither. If you truly want to help, don’t ask just do. When you are buying groceries, you can buy a couple of items for your elderly neighbor and leave them at their door with a note. When you are cooking, cook a little extra and drop it off to a neighbor that lives alone. Call your elderly grandparents, friends, neighbors and let them know they matter and that you are there for them. If you live in a building and go out to the pharmacy, leave a note in the elevator with your contact info, if anyone needs their medication picked up you can help them with it. There are endless ways to help people, we just have to show more empathy toward humanity and be more selfless. EI: When business goes back to usual, how do you think you can still maintain your sense of community and continue to give back? IA: Sharing and giving of ourselves, is my family’s life motto. I have been volunteering for over seven years with an amazing organization called Birthday Wishes of Long Island . They celebrate the birthdays of children living in homeless shelters, it’s an experience that cannot be described in words. Our family also loves feeding others, we join meal trains to help families in our community that are in need of a meal. We prepare meals and we walk around New York City the whole day distributing to the homeless. EI: People have been coming together to support each other during this time; have there been some examplesmoments that have inspired you? IA: There have been endless genuine and touching acts of kindness from people all over the world. Being there for the individuals in the front line has been so touching. Communities and restaurants uniting together to provide and deliver meals to hospital staff is truly amazing. Neighbors standing outside their doors and balconies at 7pm, clapping and making noise to show their appreciation and gratitude. It gives such a sense of hope! Please keep inspiring, helping, being hopeful, having faith, staying safe and knowing that this too shall pass. Donate to Birthday Wishes of Long Island today.