Last week I had the opportunity to be present at a remarkable event. I had been invited to an annual summer tradition called Camp Seabeck. in the town of Seabeck on Hood Canal, a very beautiful place.
What was truly remarkable is the connectedness the families who were attending demonstrated during the five days I was present. My purpose for being there was to present a discussion on “making a difference” and several related topics over three presentation sessions.
The following questions were asked of the participants before attending; “What favorite causes and charities do you support?” and, “How are you making a difference without receiving credit, (such as a tax deduction or public recognition)?”
I was amazed and delighted at the many ways people from all backgrounds are impacting their communities and families.
My practice has a focus on helping others define their ways to impact the communities around them in a positive way and then match their resources to those goals. Those resources come in many forms; certainly financial, but also time and influence come to mind.
We spent time discussing those two questions, as well as other topics I have written about in this column, including volunteerism, the purpose of money, including your family in philanthropy, starting the kids early in financial management, using different asset types and techniques to magnify your philanthropy, developing a “life vision” which includes your “bucket list” (See the movie, it’s worth your time.) and resources that include books and web sites. An underlying purpose was to expand their normal thinking patterns and get “outside the box.”
Examples of key thoughts that arose from the discussions included; 1) no job is too small, 2) start early with kids, 3) using your unique gifts/skills will increase the effectiveness of your involvement, 4) by giving of yourself, you often receive much more in return than you give, 5) decide if you are the leader or the supporter, 6) being philanthropic requires planning and 7) random acts of kindness principles, to name a few.
If you are looking for different ways to get involved, try these Web sites; Make A Wish (granting wishes for ill children) www.wish.org; Heifer International (fighting world hunger), www.heifer.org; Christmas House (helping under-privileged families in Everett), http://christmas-house.org; Ride for Kids, supporting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (research and treatment for brain tumors in children), www.pbtfus.org/rideforkids/; Foundation Source (ideas on philanthropy), www.foundationsource.com; or add your own favorite to the list. While my family supports these, the purpose is to encourage you to view the sites for ways to make a difference, deciding for yourself how or if you wish to be involved.
Using your assets can include a variety of techniques, from extensive estate planning or writing a check to adding a beneficiary to your existing life insurance in a percentage format, similar to putting a charity in your will. Or, combine a fun activity such as riding a motorcycle or walking to support such things as brain tumor or breast cancer research.
We all are truly blessed to have the opportunities we have and to live in this country, despite its challenges. When I focus on what we have (instead of what we don’t), my levels of happiness, humbleness and gratitude all shoot up. All these make me more in tune to the struggles of others and more receptive to innovative and fun ways to help others. That’s a good thing.
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