Let It Begin With Me

Generosity is an admired character trait.  We hear about the great benefactors who give large sums of money to favorite charities and institutions and wish that we could contribute in such grand ways.  The problem is that our funds and time seem to be so short.  Times are tough and it feels like everything we do is aimed at keeping our heads above water.  Where can we find extra for others when we struggle ourselves?  We can either go out and make more or we can desire less.  Neither sounds very easy.

Difficult economic times force all of us to look more closely at our patterns of consumption. We find that the strategy of making more money and accumulating more possessions no longer works for us. We begin to control spending by becoming thrifty. This behavior will improve our situation but it also leaves us feeling somewhat empty. The fact is that nothing gets all that much better.

Controlling consumption by thrift can only work when combined with generosity. We will see incredible changes in our lives when we put aside just a little bit of time and money to help those who are struggling as much, or more, than we. The emptiness that we experience and the urge to consume will dissipate as we extend ourselves to others. The result of generous giving by many is transformative.

Former Presidents Clinton and Bush (41) have joined in an effort to bring relief to Haiti.  All we have to do to help is to Text “HAITI” to "20222" and $10 will be given to the Clinton Foundation's Haiti Relief Fund, charged to your cell phone bill. Now there is a painless way to help relieve suffering. It always begins with you and me.