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What's In It For Oprah?
Have you ever
wondered why Oprah is so generous? Maybe she gives simply because
her enormous income could use another tax deduction or she’s
keeping a close watch on her ratings and needs the boost. I hardly
think so! In her economic world, it wouldn’t matter if we
ever watched her show again. While it might be true that she is
in a position to give without ever touching her mother lode, I don’t
believe that is the impetus behind her giving. What if she weren’t
so wealthy, would she still be generous? I believe so. Check out
Oprah’s Wildest Dream Bus as it cruises through America and
discovers new avenues for giving; read about how she gave everyone
in her audience a new car, and how she paid for a deserving girl’s
college education and restored a house for a couple that generously
cares for foster children. The list of her generosities is nearly
endless. Bottom line though, what’s in it for Oprah?
First, let’s
take a look at philanthropy, the meaning and motivations for giving.
Philanthropy means a "charitable act or gift". It can
be a charitable act by an individual or an organization. It is not
unlike tithing in goal or intention. It benefits the recipient with
no apparent strings attached or "kick-back" benefits
to the giver. Non-profit organizations are philanthropic in nature
in that the organization or those who founded it are not intended
(or allowed) to personally gain through its message or mission.
From the old television series, The Millionaire, to today’s
millionaire Oprah, there have always been philanthropists on the
planet. And, while it may not matter in the least, as long as there
has been philanthropy, there has been the philosophical argument
that there can be no true act of philanthropy because there is always
something in the giving for the giver. What could the benefit be?
What motivates Oprah and the rest of us to give; what are the benefits
of giving out a fortune or volunteering our time?
The first step in
philanthropy is the recognition of the needs of others outside our
own familiar group. Compassion and the subsequent generosity that
most often occurs, comes on the heels of personal experience with
need, or a deeper understanding that we are all brothers and sisters
regardless of surname. Next in line is the awareness that there
is endless supply—abundance enough for all on the planet, rather
than a relative few.
Many of us believe
if we give to others it will mean less for ourselves. Whether a
child with a peanut butter sandwich deciding if he should share
with a buddy, or cutting a check to the National Wildlife Fund or
UNICEF, do you find yourself feeling you should be cautious with
what and how much you give so you’ll have enough left over
for yourself? Do you hold a garage sale rather than giving your
extra stuff away when you don’t really need the cash? Don’t
feel alone if you do.
Generosity and the
inherent benefits are difficult concepts to understand, let alone
to casually implement. As a society, we’ve come to believe
more in limitation and scarcity than we do in an abundant universe.
We believe in a limited supply on which the demand can exceed an
apparently inflexible ceiling of availability. Sorry, there’s
only so much abundance for this side of the street, but not the
side you occupy, tends to be the overall thinking. We believe
there will always be "haves" and "have nots."
"That’s just the way it is," we say. We haven’t
realized we control both ends of the equation—the supply and
the demand, and we do it all through our beliefs and behaviors.
Throughout any spiritual
or religious teaching, from Christianity to the words of Paramahansa
Yogananda, you will find reference to a universe that overflows
with abundance, and the benefits of giving to our neighbors, friends
and family. You’ve heard "treat your neighbor as you
would be treated", but how does that benefit you? How does
it benefit you to give food to the food bank or gifts to people
you don’t even know? The fact is, giving begets more than
what was given. The more you give, the more you receive.
Many expect what they receive to arrive in a similar parcel, e.g.
if they donate $25, they might expect to receive $25 or $50 immediately,
but that isn’t what is meant, nor is it what often happens.
While you may indeed receive more money, you might just as likely
receive more opportunities, more friends, more love from a spouse,
or a better job. In short, the universe begins to shine on you in
a multitude of ways, not the least of which is how you feel after
giving generously.
Giving carries an
intrinsic reward and extrinsic perks as well. Watch Oprah on stage
as she jumps up and down in the sheer joy of the moment, fully immersed
in her love of giving. Oprah has long known that giving feels good,
and she doesn’t hesitate to say so. It feels so good, and
is so much a part of her life, that it is far more natural for her
to give than to withhold. Her generosity knows no boundaries. She
doesn’t give only to the residents of the U.S.; she doesn’t
give just to single women, or just the Irish or African. She gives
to all of those with a perceived need, anywhere and everywhere in
the world. She is truly being shined upon for her generous
acts to the world and for what she is demonstrating to all of us.
Mother Theresa was another
great demonstration of true generosity, excluding herself nearly
entirely from worldly gifts and luxuries, as she gave simply out
of the intrinsic reward of giving and lending a gentle hand to those
who suffer. She always had a smile on her face. The former President
and First Lady Jimmie and Roselyn Carter are spending their retirement
in the construction of homes for those who need them through Habitat
for Humanity. They always look happy. There are thousands of others
who give something of themselves, their time or their resources
every day they are alive. We seldom hear about most of them, but
they are there. When watching a "giver", have you ever seen
or heard even one of them express unhappiness in what they are doing?
You can experience
the effects of a universe that shines on you too. It isn’t
a gift reserved just for the rare and special extreme "givers"
like Oprah or Mother Theresa. As stated in A Course in Miracles,
published by the Foundation for Inner Peace, "To have, give
all to all." If each of us grasped this concept and applied
it, we would experience abundance the likes of which we’ve
never before known and peace that knows no end. Everything good
would grow and grow.
Where should we begin?
Begin simply by giving away what you don’t need. Sort through
your closets and cupboards, and take everything you discover you
don’t use to the Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul, or any other
organization that will distribute to those who could use it. Become
familiar with your own community. Are there women’s shelters,
food banks, nursing homes, recovery centers or daycares that could
use some assistance or that old recliner that has been sitting in
your garage? Do you have a particular area of expertise you could
share at no charge? Maybe you have a truck for hauling, an accounting
or legal firm, or a counseling practice. You don’t have to
give just money, or things—you can give your time away with
the same benefits to you and to the world. Branch out from giving
things to include sending money or sharing a percentage of your
monthly income. It will grow, as will your opportunities and feelings
of love as your generosity grows. Feelings and beliefs of scarcity
will disappear as you extend yourself to others. You’ll forget
about your woes as you step outside of yourself in those times when
giving.
We’re living
in a time when we can communicate with everyone else in the world
more readily than ever before possible. We have the opportunity
to recognize our planetary brother’s and sister’s needs
more than ever before and to do something positve about it. We can
change this world by making simple changes within our own beliefs
and behaviors. In doing so, we can eliminate poverty and inequity;
we can eradicate the homeless issue, lack of medical care for the
planet’s majority, etc.
The universe is so abundant there is
enough for each man, woman and child to enjoy the benefits. That
abundance will manifest as we become willing to step out and give.
As more and more of us jump on the giving train, we will
trade a world of "haves" and "have nots"
for one of complete abundance and peace for all. Oprah can’t
do it alone regardless of how much money she has. Let’s all
strive to personally discover what has been in it for Oprah and
others like her. The universe will shine on us all!
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