Archive for March, 2008
Power of giving
March 26, 2008 8:57 pm
During college, I spent the majority of my spare time volunteering: soup kitches, convalescent homes, half-way children homes, homeless shelters, charity drives, park cleanups, battered women shelters, tutorting kids - you name it I helped out.
At some point I realized the true value of volunteering was not in what we did, but in the individual connection made with people. In the mind-set of giving, that is a subtle message that other people matter.
In a world where people are obsessed with pushing others out of the way to grab the most satisfying life, there is an incredible power in putting others ahead of your own achievement… and ironically, the joy of helping others may be what brings you the most satisfying life.
Million dollar project
March 25, 2008 7:04 pm
A couple weeks ago, I had a thought. Wouldn’t it be grand to have $1 million in a trust fund? Not for me - but for charity, such that I could make an impact on projects that I felt passionate about.
After talking to friends about what I could do to raise $1 million dollars - one me realize that this might be driven by a desire to feel important, not really a desire to help people. And truth be told, I had no idea how I would exactly use the money if I had it.
The place to start is with a cause. With a specific end in mind, one can focus on finding the appropriate resources. It also gives a tangible purpose on the difference being made (which is focused on others), as opposed to a general being-a-nice-guy (which is focused on myself).
