Nature vs Nurture December 31, 2007
Posted by jerikpotter in Liz Strauss, Nature vs Nurture, collection tray, giving.4 comments
My friend Liz posed some great questions over the weekend about giving. Be sure to read the comments on this one:
“Why do givers not ask to be paid?”
I cycled through the answers. You might be surprised with where I landed. I sure was. But, when I tested my answer, it held up. And, when I handed it back, the questioner agreed.
Is it pride?
No, I think of the givers I know. They’re not prideful people. They’d humble themselves for a cause.
Is it fear?
Not really. The real givers I know would walk through fire for the people they care about.
Is it a disdain for money?
Not a chance. Givers I know understand that money is a tool that makes it easier to give more and more generously.
So what is it then?
It’s the DNA of a giver. A giver lives generosity from the cellular level. Giving is without strings.
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Are givers pre-programmed at birth? Or does one learn to become a giver? The old nature vs. nurture argument. . .Trading Places anyone?
For me, giving is passed on. We first taught our boys about giving at church. Each week, they’re given $1 to place in the collection tray. Its something they look forward to with anticipation. When Eli received some cash for Christmas this year, his first thought wasn’t about buying another Lightning McQueen or Thomas the Train. He immediately thought of that collection tray. At the age of 3, he’s already made the connection.
Now don’t get me wrong, he’s not a walking apostle. Within a half an hour of this, he was fighting with this little brother over Lightning McQueen. Giving cash is one thing, sharing toys is quite another.
I believe that once the giving nature takes hold, like a virus, it can spread throughout your life. It can shape who you are and how you act. And, it can be passed onto those around us quite easily.
Reason for the Season December 25, 2007
Posted by jerikpotter in Greg Laurie, Merry Christmas, giving.add a comment
Greg Laurie’s message reminds us what today is really all about:
“What’s that old saying? “The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.” And that’s why Christmas is such a letdown for so many people – children and otherwise – because there is such a buildup surrounding the giving and getting of presents.
Here’s the basic problem: No matter what you receive, no matter how high the price tag or elaborate the technology, “things” will always disappoint you. If that’s what Christmas is all about to you, the holiday will always be a synonym for disappointment.”
Merry Christmas everyone.
Now or Later? December 20, 2007
Posted by jerikpotter in charitable giving, obituary, passion, sharing.add a comment
I’ve been surprised by how few of us take the time to talk about the charities we support and why we do. Take me for instance. My dad died of pancreatic cancer four years ago. The one thing he was “lucky” enough to do before he died was help in planning for the funeral. In his obituary, he requested gifts be made to the Waterloo Community Playhouse/Blackhawk Children’s Theatre and Newspapers in Education.
Dad was a newspaper man. He was the editor of several papers in Iowa including the Waterloo Courier, Maquoketa Sentinel Press, the Newton Times, and the Ames Tribune. I will forever smile knowing the Ames Tribune, hometown newspaper of the Iowa State Cyclones, was edited by an Iowa Hawkeye grad. He loved newspapers and wanted to pass on this love to future generations.
He developed a passion for stage acting later in life. He started off as a stagehand at WCP/BHCT and quickly moved onto acting. His first role was the judge in Miracle on 34th St. He’d go onto larger roles like Mr. Beaver in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Dad was always an animated kind of guy, but after a stage performance, he was electric. He wanted to ensure this kind of energy endured.
These organizations were logical choices. And being a reporter, dad wouldn’t have made these choices lightly nor without due diligence. With dad’s level of passion, I wonder how much more he could have done by talking more about each organization and spreading the word?
Are you sharing your favorite causes with your family and friends? If you are, how receptive are they? If not, what’s holding you back? Or are you waiting for them to read about it in your obituary?
