Giving Revolution
No. Whether their desires are sincere or merely to get more votes, politicians continue to create more tax-based programs and other infrastructures to help those in need. Unfortunately, not only are these programs wrought with inefficiencies and corruption leading them to fail time and time again, but they continue to bleed taxpayer dollars driving us deeper and deeper into debt. Simply, in this regard, our leaders have proven that they cannot be trusted to protect taxpayers or our neediest citizens. For this reason, we need a new approach, a new vision, a new mentality for helping those in need. We need a giving revolution.
A giving revolution is intended to create a new way of looking at our personal obligations to our fellow citizens, and equally, to create a new way of looking at personal brand development. Today, many of us showcase our successes and wealth to the world by the houses we live in, the cars we drive, the brands we wear, and the gadgets and devices we use. Essentially, we spend money to demonstrate to ourselves and to the world around us that we’re winning. But this is artificial. Yes, the houses and products we buy are real, but the reputational lift that goes hand-in-hand with wearing, living in, and using those things is not a universal truth; it’s something created by us. And even though it has never worked broadly, we’ve been living under this artificial, man-made reputational paradigm for thousands of years. Since we created this paradigm, though, we can create another paradigm that fulfills the same needs in a more productive and humane manner. If we make the collective decision that it’s more impressive to give to the world than to take from it, that it’s more symbolic of success to contribute to those with sincere and desperate needs than to perpetuate the power of commercial brands, we can all get the same personal brand ROI on our spending, while, at the same time, making critical contributions to both our fellow citizens and to the financial strength and security of our nation.
No, this is not a socialist movement or even a socialist mentality. We are capitalists who value the importance of providing a platform for hard working people to lift themselves up to the highest possible levels of financial success. We’re talking about a cultural change in the way we value voluntarily sharing of that financial success; sharing in ways that would eliminate the need for excessive taxes which currently pay for far less efficient and far more corrupt government programs. Essentially, a giving revolution will put the power back into the hands of individuals who can then contribute to their communities in the manner they deem appropriate, efficient, and practical.
Yes. Once we all begin to fully appreciate the advantages that giving provides to our nation’s wealth and national security, voluntarily doing so will enhance our personal brands. Giving, and the size of contributions, can become the new measuring stick for success.
How do we create a cultural shift where our success and wealth are showcased to the world not in the size of our houses but in the size of our personal contributions? Well, there are three simple things we can do to get the ball rolling. First, begin spreading this message far and wide. Second, begin making contributions. And third, share stories of the contributions of others at every opportunity.
No. While financial contributions can yield high impacts on the lives of individuals and families, contributions do not have to be financial. Contributions of time can also impact the lives of people in our communities. Mentoring, teaching, acts of service, companionship to the lonely, and even simple gestures of daily kindness can change lives.