The Giving Pledge - part of God's delive...
The Giving Pledge - part of God's delivery system
What do Ted Tuner, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffet, and Bill Gates have in common with about 60 other of the wealthiest billionaires in the US? They have all pledged to give 50%, or more, of their wealth away! What an amazing goal to share!
I am so completely moved by these folks and their commitment. I, too, have been a philanthropist all my life, my goal is to give away at least $1 million over my lifetime. I am well on my way! I remember when I was able to write my first check that actually had a comma in it! What an experience. Do you know what that meant? It meant I was so abundant, and the Universe supported me so much, that I had that much to give away! Every time I give, whether it's $10 texted to a relief fund, hundreds of dollars to a cause I believe in, or thousands of dollars to my spiritual community, I am reminded how fortunate I am to live such a prosperous and abundant life.
Philanthropy is our opportunity to share from our overflow. As we begin to create an inner awareness of all the amazing prosperity we enjoy - giving is the natural result. Compared to 75% of the rest of the population of the planet - even with mounting debt and unemployment - we live the most lavish lives. Finding real satisfaction with our lives, recognizing that most of us do have enough food, shelter, clothing, shoes, toys, cars, furniture, decorations, electronics, phones, and coffee - not to mention freedom, liberty, and the ability to speak out - we begin to create a mental equivalent of our own wealth and abundance. This becomes the overflow from which we give. And our giving lifts others - that they, too, may experience the abundance and support of the Universe, just like we are. Thus, we become God's delivery system - for love, food, education, medical care, environmental protection or whatever part of God's Presence we feel called to express.
I don't believe in giving until it hurts. I believe we are all invited to give until it feels good! Give because we know we are absolutely supported, because we know we have something to share, and because we know that our lives and our gifts make a difference in the world! So get on out there and be an active part of God's delivery sytem!
The purpose of the Giving Pledge is not only to "invite the wealthiest American to commit to give the majority of their wealth to philanthropy" (see website below ), they are also "looking to do more impactful, more effective philanthropy and to inspire average people to give money away." (www.huffingtonpost.com May 9, 2011) You can check out each of their individual pledges at http://givingpledge.org
Thank you for inviting us to the Giving Pledge.
9 months agoTo give without pain, reserve, or guilt but rather to give feeling the blessing of abundance that supports us is the point. God doesn't know pennies or billions - God only knows giving from a limitless endless supply. What if we non-billionaires were to give as much as we can but give while feeling as though it comes from our own limitless supply? Feeling whatever we imagine Bill Gates or Warren Buffet must feel when they write that check. Feel just like that, no matter what the amount. I believe it's giving from that place that grows our billionaire consciousness, grows opportunity, grows potential. This is a very useful spiritual practice that works miracles in my own life. And may just have worked a miracle in someone else's life.