Myths that Keep You Broke #22

Myth #22 - I Can’t Be A Philanthropist:   

In Myth #19, I said many people live with either/or thinking. This idea really goes hand-in-hand with your thinking about what you can, and cannot do in the area of philanthropy.

In Myth #20, I addressed the idea that you might feel like you cannot afford to donate to a charity or charities that might touch your heart. This comes from a scarcity mindset.

In an earlier email, I spoke about being selected to do a TEDx talk, and it is based on philanthropy. To practice, I have been delivering it to various service clubs in the Los Angeles area, like Rotary and Kiwanis. This has been very helpful in supporting me to memorize my 12-minute talk.

In constructing the talk, my daughter reminded me how I have been philanthropic in my actions before I had the money to be philanthropic with dollars. When I was a young parent, struggling to meet our bills, I would take my children to homeless shelters to donate blankets, clothing, or help serve food. She reminded me, how I would go around the neighborhood and pick up trash, paint out graffiti, plus foster and provide basic training to dogs that became service dogs for the blind.

Children are a great reminder of who you were when you were younger, whether good or bad! The point is, that before I had the money to donate large amounts to charity and call myself a philanthropist, I was getting involved with my time, when I barely had any money at all.

I’ve mentioned it often, at one time in my life, I had to collect soda bottles and cans to get the refund money to buy food for my family. I still pick up cans and bottles (plus collect them from our apartment buildings), but give them to our housekeeper as extra money. It’s surprising how this money can add up.

Wherever you are financially, you have the ability to be philanthropic. If not donating dollars, you can donate time and attention to those less fortunate.

Who are the people that touch your heart? Or what animals or causes are important to you? How can you contribute to their mission, besides money?

Then just do it.

To Your Prosperity,

Rennie