A Chance to Shape the Future
Going to orphanages, or the home for the aged, or seeking out the poor and the downtrodden – to reach out, to help – it is not something one thinks about on a day to day basis.
But they – the abandoned, the old and forgotten, the poor, the downtrodden – their existence is a day to day reality.
But many people do not care – either because they do not have the time and have their own worries, or they have nothing to give. It is the government’s job, after all, or those with millions to spare.
For a long time, I had those sentiments.
I used to think that as long as I minded my own business, do not take advantage of people, take really good care of my family (charity begins at home), and smile (well, I think this is important), then I am off the hook of what they call “social responsibility”.
I do not know what changed between then and now – but lately, I found myself wanting to look, wanting to help. Maybe it is the passage of time, or the realization that I can and I should that is spurring me to motion. I do not know if it is the examples set by billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffett that are making me ashamed of not wanting to do more, or if it is the coaxing of Rhonda Byrnes that generosity will help me find favor with the universe that is making me pay heed to the voice of my conscience. One day, I just realized some truths – that I am needed, that even without billions to my name, a simple reaching out of my hand can lift the spirit (mostly mine, but I am getting ahead of my story), and that it would feel good, real good.
The seeds of philanthropy.
But please know – the space of time between the desire and the act was a few years.
Because although I knew what I had to do, I did not know who to do it for. I felt I needed to be passionate about what I would call my “advocacy” so that it will really be an advocacy. I thought I should know and understand the object of my passion (or obsession) before I go charging in with my shining armor.
Yes, excuses.
But I did find some people to help here and there, and some people who wanted to take advantage of the help I gave (borrowing money to buy back a pawned camera or to celebrate a husband’s birthday, of all things) and that made me feel a little wary. I then found a group of cloistered nuns high up in the forest (cloistered means they have taken a vow of silence and between them and their visitors, there is something in between, sometimes a desk, sometimes iron bars) and they needed help – I thought this may be it! But then someone very important to me left their fold so I also stopped going.
Attempts at beginning philanthropy, if I can even call it that, nipped.
So I searched again.
Then a friend told me about Sun and Moon.
To be continued in the next article.
Article by Issa. Photo by Danvic Briones. Copyright 2011.
Website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
Email: issa@youwanttoberich.com
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