 |
| Darina, our Teachers Captain |
During my New Years post I encouraged you to make some focused
efforts for improvement during 2018 which I sincerely believe will make you a
better professional and person. One of those areas I suggested is centered
around "giving." Not just any giving, rather "Creative
Giving." This writing is not a self serving "look at me" attempt
but rather my sharing with you my experience of what I've discovered as
extremely helpful. It's my hope you will reflect, self examine, evaluate
and give careful consideration.
I will admit that during my early years I, like many, was not
very interested in giving to or for others as I was focused on raising a family
and paying the bills. And to be brutally honest, I was a pretty self centered
guy and concluded that charity starts at home i.e. what I want.
During my 40's a new purpose in my life created a new focus from me and I began
to rearrange my thinking about what I have and how I should be using what I've
been blessed with.
Dave Ramsey, a financial advisor and radio broadcaster, hammers
his audience to implement a strategy that will enable them to become "debit
free." Part of his reasoning is the description associated with the
"freedom" of not owing others and therefore allows you the
opportunity to give to others. To be generous.
The undeniable fact is, America is the most generous people in
the world. In moments of crisis, like floods, earthquakes and other natural
disasters, people tend to be more generous but routine generosity is not
necessarily a life style.
Here are some facts about charitable giving along with my
personal observation and opinions of givers and takers.
> On average American's charitable giving equals
approximatatly 2.5% of their annual salary. (How do you compare?)
> Most people are trendy givers or give to the most
noticeable charities i.e. Red Cross, political parties, Boys and Girls clubs,
schools, religious organizations, etc.
> Far less than 1/3 of the American population volunteer time
to charitable causes or endeavors.
> For every US dollar given to religious organizations, only
.05 cents goes to overseas support. The vast majority of monies given to
churches are to support the building and maintaining of (what I call) monuments
to materialism and pride. i.e. my church is bigger than your church.
> Most people give out of the abundance of what they have
rather than giving sacrificially.
Be it the skeptical nature of my personality, the
entrepreneurial approach or maybe even an overwhelming gratitude because of my
life change, I began to examine how I, personally, would deal with the issue of
"giving." During the past 20 plus years I've had an exciting,
sometimes timorous, but profound journey and outlook toward giving of my
personal time and money.
> I do not have a lot of money, but I consider myself richer than
a lot of millionaires I know, precisely because of where the habit of giving
has found it's self in my very being.
> I do not give foolishly or without careful consideration of the
need, my ability or availability to help.
> I do not give to trendy organizations or because some charlatan
thinks I should.
> I do not give to organizations who have large administration
fees.
> I do not give to people or organizations who have only known
gifts from others for so long that it has become common place for them,
resulting in apathy on their part.
> I do consider giving as an act of worship.
> I do give from a thankful heart not one of fear or expectations
of some sort of ROI from God. After all, He does not cut deals.
> I do carefully examine creative ways to give of my time and
money. (Contact me and I'll be glad to share with you some really unique but
meaningful approaches.)
> I do give according to the talents and resources I've been given
to enrich the lives of others.
> I've never lost money or time because of my giving. Somehow,
someway it all comes back to me when I least expect it.
I have traveled to 27 countries (some multiple times) speaking
at universities, high schools and business forums talking about ethical
business practices, entrepreneurship, coaching and partnering with select
people who live in these countries.
The partners I work with insure that our
efforts will be sustained after I'm gone. 97% of the cost associated with these
activities has come from our personal bank account.
Last week I was in Bulgaria for the 5th time. I've been working
with a brilliant Bulgarian couple who have a real desire to make positive
improvements in the community they live in by approaching the educational
structure in a unique way. These are not one time road shows. These are
strategic trips costing me personally thousands of dollars and hours. I keep
going back because I feel led to do so and because I can see gains being made.
I'm not the only person who gives on these projects. Krasimir and Darina,
in Bulgaria, who devoted an enormous amount of time in translations work,
transportation, logistics and recruitment, etc. Regan from Kennesaw
University who taught for two days and 30 teachers who gave of their time every
evening for two weeks to learn how to implement the "Entrepreneurial
Mind-Set." You can see lots of pictures on my Facebook page.
 |
| Our Fabulous Teachers and Development Team! |
One week ago today, I met with a group of business leaders in
the community seeking their partnership with our fabulous teachers. Being
prudent, as all good business people should be, they asked lots of questions.
One seasoned guy, who's behavior was leaning toward rudeness, along with being
extremely skeptical of my motives found out the bottom line about half way
through our discussion.
The president of this business association ask THE
question that was on everyone’s mind. "How are you getting paid Mr.
Lewis? Who's paying for you to be here"?
My reply was without hesitation,
boastfulness or compromise. "I am paying my own way here." Why?
Because I've have been blessed. Like you, I will not live forever and I've got
more years behind me than I have in front of me and I can't take anything with
me when I die.
Just like Bob Buford, a very successful business guy, I want
my remaining years to be marked strategically. I want to go from making money
to making a difference. From success to significance." The crusty ole guy
"got it" and began to applaud. Maybe he was thinking that was
something he should be thinking about himself. Maybe you should too.
I'm not sure how much longer I can dip into my retirement funds
or how I might find financial partners for the future. I do know this, as long as I'm in good health and have the
opportunities to impact the lives in a positive way, I will continue to GIVE
creatively in an effort to........
Finish Well
For
more information contact me at Billrun@gmail.com, on Facebook or follow me on
twitter @BillLewisArksaw
