Giving
http://www.refresher.com/mindfulnetwork/articlelive/articles/14/1/Giving/Page1.html
Jim Stovall
Jim
Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network, as well as a
published author of many books including The Ultimate Gift. He is also a
columnist and motivational speaker. He may be reached at 5840 South Memorial Drive, Suite 312, Tulsa,
OK 74145-9082,
or by e-mail at Jim@JimStovall.com By Jim Stovall
Published on 12/14/2007
Whether it’s the holidays or end-of-year tax planning, December
is the time that many people think about giving. While any motivation that
causes us to give is probably good, I believe we should begin to look at giving
as a way to define who we are instead of simply providing a tax deduction or
fulfilling our holiday gift list.
Giving
Whether it’s in our personal or professional lives, we need to
think about giving as an integral part of all that we do instead of an
afterthought. "Giving back is a way to create a true and lasting
legacy," said James Davis, CFO, Stanford Financial Group. “A lot of
people do a good job with making money, and most everyone does a good job of
spending it. But it's the giving of one's money that will yield a far more
valuable return on investment," he said. Giving does not simply apply to
our money but includes our time, effort, energy, and our expertise. Any of us
can give our money, and it is greatly needed and appreciated by people and
causes around the world. But only you can provide the unique effort, energy,
and expertise that you can bring to a particular need.
While charities need our money, the greater need is for us to begin to
define ourselves as givers. The only three things you can do with your money
are spend it, save/invest it, and give it away. Any brief review of headlines
or recent statistics will assure you that we are doing a great job of spending
our money in our society today. Unfortunately, too many people are spending
all they earn and just a little more.
Far too few of us are saving and investing our money. This saving and
investing is what makes the dreams we have for ourselves and our families come
true. When we’re spending too much and saving virtually nothing, giving
becomes a random afterthought that is not a part of our daily consciousness.
Just as you should have a plan for your spending--known as a budget--and a plan for your saving/investing--known as a financial plan--you should have a conscious, specific, and well-thought-out plan for your giving. Far beyond your money, your life itself should be viewed as a gift. I believe that the meaning of life is to find our unique, special gift; and the purpose of life is to give our gift away. People mistakenly assume that when you give something away, it’s gone. In reality, if you spend your money, it disappears immediately. If you save/invest your money, it is locked away for the future. But that which we give defines us in a way so that the gift benefits others and never really leaves us. As you go through your day today, look for new ways for your money, your work, and your life to be a gift.
Today’s the day!
Just as you should have a plan for your spending--known as a budget--and a plan for your saving/investing--known as a financial plan--you should have a conscious, specific, and well-thought-out plan for your giving. Far beyond your money, your life itself should be viewed as a gift. I believe that the meaning of life is to find our unique, special gift; and the purpose of life is to give our gift away. People mistakenly assume that when you give something away, it’s gone. In reality, if you spend your money, it disappears immediately. If you save/invest your money, it is locked away for the future. But that which we give defines us in a way so that the gift benefits others and never really leaves us. As you go through your day today, look for new ways for your money, your work, and your life to be a gift.
Today’s the day!