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Thanks for My Giving

18 Nov 2011
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With Thanksgiving fast approaching, our thoughts turn to thanks and gratitude. But, this morning, I began to think of it another way. We usually give thanks for what we have received—tangible or intangible. But knowing that receiving and giving are part of one continuous flow, shouldn’t we be just as thankful for what we give? After all, there wouldn’t be any receiving if it didn’t start with some giving! 

So I began to ponder the things I’m thankful for giving—not an easy task when brought up in a Puritan society. Seems I’m not as ready to call those good things “mine”. Much easier to take on those bad things. Every time I began to give thanks for something I give, that voice in my head responded with “don’t be egotistical”, or “you couldn’t do it without…”, or “that’s not really much of anything”. Do you have that same naysayer on your shoulder?

But for this week, I’m going to shout louder than that voice and share my list of Thanks for my Giving:

 1)     Thanks for my giving life to my sons. I really did this one right!

2)     Thanks for my giving unconditional love to my husband. Definitely, the gift that keeps on giving.

3)     Thanks for my giving foreign publishing rights to Ari Toivenen in Finland. My dream for spreading my message is on its way.

4)     Thanks for my giving an open heart and open ear to friends and family members.

5)     Thanks for my giving time and money to social causes near and dear to my heart. I will be the change I wish to see in this world.

6)     Thanks for me. When all is said and done, I’m pretty awesome. After all, how can I not fully receive that greatest gift of all—life!

So, try this new way of thanksgiving—you’ll like it. Awkward at first, but amazing how your confidence grows. With new confidence, the giving gets easier and so does the receiving. Because remember, what goes around comes around. It’s the way of the world!

Tax Me, Please.

14 Jun 2011
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Last week, National Public Radio had a segment about a letter (and video You Tube Video) to our leaders from The Patriotic Millionaires.  Given my professional past, anything about taxes piques my interest.  I remember years ago reading The Rape of the Taxpayer where I got an understanding of how tax policy can shape social policy.

It also took me back to my September 2009 blog where I hadn’t thought about the tax side of things. “It got me to thinking of how our money beliefs and values have caused an ever widening gap between those who have and those who have not. That gap has grown so that at times it seems impossible to bridge the gap.  The two sides believe the opposite of each other and can’t even begin to understand those on the other side. 

One side believes that nothing good comes with money—while across the gap they believe if you don’t have money, you’re no good.  One side believes you did something “bad” to get money, and the other side believes if you just worked or tried harder you wouldn’t be in the financial mess you’re in.  So, this gap between the “haves” and “have-nots”  gets bigger and bigger based on baseless “truths” and unexamined beliefs.”

The Patriotic Millionaires solution to this widening gap is; please raise taxes on individuals earning more than a million dollars.  I don’t remember the exact figures quoted but by taxing these individuals that are less than 1% of the population, they would contribute a gazillion dollars to our ever-growing deficit. Seems like something to seriously think about.

But (there’s always a but) there are other viewpoints.  Just google Patriotic Millionaires and you’ll find lots of commentary.  But, I want to know, what do you think?

To tax or not to tax:  that is the question!

Show Me the Vision!

07 Jun 2011
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I was in Cape Cod this weekend at the Gestalt International Study Center.  Although the weekend had been planned as a gathering for those of us who have studied there, life shifted and Friday morning began with a memorial service for one of the founders, Edwin C. Nevis.  I had only met Edwin once and I wanted to be there because I knew he had made a real difference to the world he lived in.

“Edwin was known, loved and respected by people throughout the world. He was a great leader, innovator, teacher, host, and lover of life” said his obituary—and the e-mails that arrived from all corners of the world confirmed this.  At the service, friends and colleagues shared stories, sometimes humorous, sometimes touching and always inspirational.  Here was a man with a life well lived.  He engaged with others in a way that made their life, and the world, a better place.

One story stuck with me as evidence of why this man made a difference.  For me it was proof of what happens when our priorities and values are in order.  A friend talked of how Edwin would call (many times) and say, “I have a great idea!  It will take $X,XXX: how can we get it?”  Instead of looking at potential money problems, his primary focus was on the vision.  Money was just a step in making it happen.  Vision leads; money follows.

With money first, we give away our power.  But with vision and values in the lead we keep the power for ourselves and the world.  And, that makes all the difference.  With vision first everything is possible and money is only a tool working for us (instead of us working for it)!

In Edwin’s last words, “make it stronger”.  A lesson for all of us!

How Much Are You Worth?

03 May 2011
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The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued,” What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”

To stress his point, he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?” Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began…)

“Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit for 5 minutes without an iPod, Game Cube or movie rental.

You want to know what I make? (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table).

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write something worthwhile. Keyboarding isn’t everything.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math. They use their brain, not the man-made calculator.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were born with, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, not knowing that money isn’t everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention to them.

You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  What do you make?”

Life has been too full so I hope you don’t mind this internet message.  I’ll be back full force next week, I promise!