kindness,charity &philanthropy

musings on the importance of givingopenly and doing goodby beth honig

Many (if not most) of uswant to make the world abetter place. We havehearts of gold and wewant to lend a helpinghand to someone in need.But our actions don’talways measure up to ourgood intentions.

There’s usually something that keepsus from getting more involved withour communities. Whether thatsomething is a lack of time (“I’m toobusy!)” or a lack of resources (“I don’thave the necessarytalent/money/ideas!”) or a lack ofinformation (“I don’t know knowwhere to start!”), we hold off fromvolunteering with various causes orbecoming more active in ourneighborhood activities. Rather thansaying, “Sign me up,” we say, “nexttime…” or “if only…”

Notice that I’m using the word “we,” right?nd I’m saying“we” because the I‐want‐to‐get‐involved‐but‐I‐don’t‐have‐time dilemma is something we all share. Although Istrive to be very involved with many great causes, Iunderstand the challenges that keep others from beingless active. Being overwhelmed, overworked andoverscheduled is par for the course for many of us thesedays.

I’m saying “we” because the I‐want‐to‐get‐involved‐but‐I‐don’t‐have‐time dilemma is something all of us share.Although I strive to be very involved with many greatcauses, I understand the challenges that keep people frombeing less philanthropically minded or active in theircommunities. Being overwhelmed, overworked andoverscheduled is par for the course for most of us thesedays.

the action or business of promoting andselling products or services, includingmarket research and advertising.

(noun)

marketing

In a pollconducted lastyear by the LosAngeles Times,nearly half of the local respondents who were surveyed

about why they were not getting involved in their

communities said one of the primary reasons is that they

were too busy. Among the other results were forty-two

percent of poll-takers who said they didn’t have enough

money to contribute to various causes, and then 39% said

they weren’t even sure what they could do to help. Lastly,

there was a slightly smaller group of respondents (31%) who

said that they weren’t getting involved because they didn’t

feel like they could make a difference.

Business writerSteve Tobak putsit this way:

"Think about it. When one person influences a few others, there

are two major effects:

1. A ripple effect that, over time, can actually impact thousands

over generations.

1. A broadening effect since one person influences many, like

multiplying tree branches.

Here’s an exercise for you. Think about all the people you may

have had an impact on in your life. Employees, coworkers,

bosses, vendors, customers, family, friends. Lots and lots of

people. And they’re just part of the equation. You may have

influenced dozens of others without even realizing it."

TOUCHINGLIVES ANDMAKING A

DIFFERENCE INTHE WORLD

DOESN’TNECESSARILY

HAPPEN INLEAPS AND

BOUNDS.

"I long to accomplish a great andnoble task, but it is my chief duty toaccomplish small tasks as if theywere great and noble."

Helen Keller oncesaid:

There’s an abundance of inspiring sayingslike Keller’s about the importance ofpracticing generosity in our everydaylives. I’ll be sharing these sayings fromtime to time here on my blog. Some of thequotations will be from famous peopleand some of them will come from somenot so famous sources....

like this beautifulsentiment fromTalmud:

"The reward of charity depends entirely

upon the extent of the kindness in it."

Charitableinvolvement isnear to my heart.For me, thereward is a senseof connection andtogetherness thatreminds me thatI’m a small part ofa larger good.

onward.bethhonigcharity.com