In my first act of life, getting promoted and having the latest designer purse or shoes made me happy.
Until they didn’t anymore.
So now, in my second act of life, doing good, giving back, and learning make me happy. (And super good chocolate once in awhile.)
(A friend told me I’d discovered eudaimonia—an ancient Greek philosophy of living a worthwhile life—an ethical philosophy advanced by Aristotle. It’s a subject area I plan to research further!)
Back to the joy of kindness and giving back and how today is a historical day.
Today, May 6, Give Local America has created GiveLocalAmerica!—”part contest, part referendum, all good with over 100 community foundations nationwide working in concert to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the first community foundation.”
Give Local America describes today as “a movement to reignite the spirit of giving across the country and support causes in the communities in which we live, work and play.” Their intent is allowing everyone to be a philanthropist. What a wonderful way to make giving back and making a difference widely available.
I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy. ~Kahlil Gibran
Here in the lowcountry of South Carolina, the Coastal Community Foundation has done an extraordinary job in raising augmenting funds and in coordinating local giving efforts, naming the day “Lift the Lowcountry.” Nearly 100 local nonprofits are participating. So another thing that gives me joy is that the Center for Women is one of the 100 local groups to benefit.
When I moved from San Francisco to Charleston, I was delighted to find the Center for Women, the largest skill development and education resource for women in the state. In a state that ranks 40th in the nation on women’s earnings, 37th in educational attainment, 39th for poverty, and has just 34.2% of women working in managerial and professional occupations,* the Center is a much needed resource. The Center has played a big role in allowing me to be involved and give back, and I’ll be eternally grateful to their leadership for that.
Please join with me in spreading some kindness and making a difference today. You can click here to find a participating nonprofit in your area to support.
And, as you might have guessed, I’m being a philanthropist today for the Center for Women so they can meet their goal of raising $24,000!
*Data source: IWPR
