I lost my money and I loved it… because I helped someone.

In 2013, there were two major storms in Toronto. In July, when, apparently, an absolutely insane amount of water was spilled from sky causing subway shut down and power outages and in December when water drained from above, froze and broke the trees which landed on power lines leaving hundreds of thousands residents without power. Luckily, I was not part of any, sort of.

So here I am in December, enjoying holidays, watching Gary Vaynerchuk’s interviews and listening to him promoting his new book Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook. The fact that I should GIVE got engraved into my brain. For now, not sure what to give, how to give and who to give to. Just GIVE. That’s all I was thinking about… nothing seems possible if I don’t give.

BOOM! Toronto Hydro announces 300,000 residents are without power due to the #icestorm2013.

Storm… thousands with no power… I happened to have a vacant AirBnB… give, give, give… vacant Airbnb… get it?

I tweeted offering both my AirBnB condo and newly listed apartment for free for anyone who suffered and asked to spread the word.

Hundreds of direct and indirect retweets later, I got request from @mamaofabean and accommodated her with her husband and a baby at the condo. Next day couple of my friends stayed for one night and this sweet couple stayed Dec 27-28. Here is what they’ve got to say:

The concept of give, give, give then ask is very straight forward but I think most struggle with understanding WHAT to give (something that’s valuable for recipient) and HOW to give.

I think this was the first time when I truly felt that there was something I could give — I knew what, I knew how. It is extremely rewarding to be heard in a noisy Twitter world. This made me feel absolutely amazing and I am continuing to give anywhere I can.