Philanthropy

Today I was thinking about the idea of philanthropy. I love the idea and wondered if just anyone could be a philanthropist. We're one of those middle class people that like many of us Americans loves to donate to causes in need. We're limited by a retirement income but give our ten percent to our favorite charities. The really hard part is having to limit to what we can afford.

I decided to look up the word philanthropy in the dictionary. All this time I've been able to say and spell the word but I've never really checked to see exactly what it really meant. I was so pleased to read this: "Philanthropy is the effort to promote the happiness or social elevation of mankind, as by making donations, etc. (Also) Love or benevolence (disposition to do good; any act of kindness) toward mankind in general." This came out of Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary's 1974 version. A very old one, to be sure, that I found at a garage sale. It explains words that I can't always find in newer dictionarys at the store, so for me it's a keeper.

I never realized what a beautiful word philanthropy is and that it belongs to all of us, rich and poor alike. And so I have gotten my wish to be a philanthropist; what a lovely occupation! So, when we do good and are kind to our neighbor and do good in our community, we are an expression of this lovely word. I'm sure this concept can be aptly applied to our families. This seems to be a time to help out one another as a family in every sense of the word.

I truly believe that our president is a philanthropist as well - he's looking out for the little guys. I try to stay in touch with what's going on in Washington because I want us all to do well; the everyday Americans . . . that's most of us, and I want our children and grandchildren to have a great and caring country to live in that they can be very proud of. It seems we need to take care of one another, to have love and benevolence for all.

A paradigm shift, a change of attitude and example of behavior, seems to be needed for us all to be philanthropists; a shift from greed to giving; a shift of self to other. Perhaps you can help me with more examples. I hadn't thought of this before but I think this new attitude could be well applied to the day after Thanksgiving when many people were not philanthropists but full of greed for things that will be forgotten very quickly and will have no lasting value on the heart.

This photo was taken at a delightful, small chapel in the hills. There are many angel statues there. It is a beautiful place.