I just finished reading a couple of articles and a book
written from the 1% that have the privilege of talking about philanthropy and
the impact they are having in the world both on a large scale but also in the
life of one. I know it is easy at times to feel as if you are a little fish in
a big pond that is owned and managed by someone else. It is inspiring to think
that there is actually collaborative competition amongst the most wealthy to
consider how to impact the world around us where having food at night before
you go to bed is an ongoing question. Whether there is clean water will
determine if a mom will see her latest baby grow up or become another
statistic. I know that it is very difficult for normal people, like you and me,
to relate to the Buffets, Gates and others who are turning their
entrepreneurial skills into a movement to change the world.
I know that many today truly want to do well by doing good.
I have a close friend who recently opened up a new coffee shop and church in
downtown Phoenix. He is taking a huge risk because of the expense of starting
both a new church and new business in a downtown that still is coming of age.
His slogan is, ‘drink good coffee and do good’. He doesn’t have the backing of
a billionaire father or uncle but the support of normal average people.
What struck me as I read a book written by the father of one
of the wealthiest men in our world is that he was raised in a typical family
that could have been like yours or mine. I know that paying it forward is a
popular expression that is starting to take root. The book focused on how this
family did your typical Sunday dinners, the parents were very involved with
community service organizations, their kids were raised learning how to read
and not be vegetables sitting in front of a screen. They did family vacations
and learned the importance of learning about life from their grandparents. Sounds
rather normal and almost boring, yet, it is this background that ultimately
influenced this individual to challenge others to give their wealth away in an
organized planned out fashion.
It was interesting reading a couple of articles that
dialogued about the evils of capitalism and apparent conscienous laundering of
the Billionaire Philanthropists. The bottom line is that those in the know are
talking and actually acting out on seeing that it is time that everyone sees
their part in making a difference in the world around us. It is incredible to
think that a Laruen Busch or a Blake Mycoskie can birth businesses that will
change the face of the world and influence others to give back but in a very
different way. Yes, the issue of poverty is a very complex and confusing topic
that is more than a discussion on capitalism or cultural norms or educational
reform.
I know that too often we can allow the inner voice within to
tell us that we could never be like so and so that is doing it. I had a text
from someone at a new job that was too quick to throw in the towel and say,
‘same ol’ stuff’, after a couple of weeks on a new job. I texted back, so then
do something that is ordinary in an extra-ordinary way. Yes you can make an
impact in the world around you if you are willing to listen, learn and do
something ordinary in an extra-ordinary way.
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