If you’re rummaging through your drawers and closet, you might not find it. If you’re plowing through your kitchen and spice cabinet, you’re headed in the wrong direction. You may want to try looking a little closer. 

If you close your eyes and look within, chances are you will find it.

A cold season calls for a warm heart.

With the cold weather and rain at our forefront, now is the time to stand a little taller and show a bit of kindness. There are plenty of organizations, nonprofits, charities — and most importantly, people — who can benefit from your support and goodwill. Showing some sympathy, lending a hand and doing a good deed comes with the all-time reward of eternal warmth and thanksgiving. This year, I am thankful for the new connections and friends I made through Upwardly Global.

A little bit of goodwill goes a long way.

After participating in a program sponsored by Thomson Reuters, I was inspired to get back in touch with a non-profit organization I was affiliated with years ago, Upwardly Global. As a mentor, I spend a couple hours each month working one-on-one with immigrant professionals to help them prepare for the job market and get acquainted with the U.S. workplace culture. Everyday interview questions that might be common to you and me, might not be so common to someone who just moved here and is learning the English language. Basic details such as what to wear to a job interview, how to respond to hypothetical questions and how to react to compliments may vary based on your cultural differences and upbringings. Communicating these workplace differences and expectations, and offering a few insights I picked up along the way is not something I need to wrack my brains over or spend a great deal of time and energy preparing; however, to some of the candidates I’ve worked with, it’s made a world of a difference on how they will prepare for and approach interviews in the future. I hardly realized how just a few hours of time and small contribution could make someone so happy, so appreciative and so thankful. Not only was I able to help out a few people who were new to the U.S., but I was able to learn about other cultures I might not have had as much exposure to and make a few new friends along the way.

A warm and gratifying experience. 

With Thanksgiving just days away, what do you have to be thankful for this year? How are you keeping yourself warm this holiday season? And what are you doing to help others stay warm? If you’re searching high and low in pursuit of an answer, or having a hard time responding to those questions, then there’s still time for you to do something about it.

You can make a difference. 

If you’ve got ten hours a month or even a few hours a week, consider joining an organization long term. There are several types of organizations to match your every interest. I’ve found success in skill-based volunteering where you can leverage your industry expertise and professional skills for nonprofits who might lack the resources and/or funds to support their cause. At the same time, you can develop your existing skills or gain some new ones. Some of the organizations I’ve been affiliated with in the past include Taproot Foundation, American Marketing Association and Project Management Institute.

If you can’t dedicate a set amount of hours per month or per week, consider volunteering at a nonprofit for the day or weekend. School, work, family and long hours make it difficult to commit, but if you can set aside a few hours, that’s all it takes to make a difference. Plenty of nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity, or volunteering at a food bank or homeless shelter are in need of volunteers who can dedicate half a day or a day to help out the staff.

And sometimes, you just might be pressed for time and might not be able to dedicate an afternoon to a charity or nonprofit, and that’s okay. There are other ways to help out. Donating gently worn clothes, blankets and jackets to Goodwill or Salvation Army will reach others who might rely on your donations. Supplying food, toiletries and basic necessities to your local shelter also goes a long way. Making a monetary contribution or sponsoring a family is just another way to give back and get in touch that warm feeling on the inside.

Don’t overlook the simple things.

A small gesture, such as holding the door or saying hello to a stranger, is an act of kindness that oftentimes gets overlooked and underestimated, and can really make someone’s day. A cup of coffee or a simple note can show someone your gratitude. A smile or a thank you speaks volumes to the deserving and unnoticed faces in the crowd. Make an effort to perform an act of kindness. You’ll feel good on the inside. I guarantee it. This holiday season is going to be a cold one. What are you doing to stay warm?