The Soul of Money
In less than a week my mission to change the world begins. I feel like I am in the process of retraining my brain. I look for, search out and see different opportunities to give back every day. I’m discovering ways to give that I didn’t even know existed without leaving my home office.
Did you know there are sites dedicated to shopping online that with donated a portion of your purchase to the charity of your choice? I like to shop! Anyone else out there reading that likes to shop?
The first site I came across was IGIVE. Understandable the name caught my eye. You can search by brand, charity, retailer. Their mission makes giving simple. “To enable the economic power of individuals to benefit their chosen communities.” Simple put, if your going to shop make choices that benefit others at the same time. Our purchasing power has a huge effect on the world – especially in North America.
You don’t have extra money to make a cash donation? You don’t have to, let sites like this do it for you. Where in your life can you do this every day? Make a choice to give back to the world with your purchasing power rather than strip the world. Here’s a couple of simple examples.
Local Farmers Market: Buy local, buy organic, get your veggies, fruit, cheese, bread. Shopping at a farmers market gives back to the planet.
Ethical Investing: Save for retirement and instantly support companies with sustainable ethic values.
I recently read a book called The Soul of Money by Lynn Twist. The author warns you upfront that by the end of the book, the way you think about money will change. It did for me. It was very eye opening read. Their guiding principles are those which can change the world. I have listed their principle below.
Prosperity flows from sufficiency — the recognition of enough.
Each individual makes a difference.
What we appreciate appreciates.
Collaboration generates prosperity.
Our legacy is what we live – not what we leave.
Gratefulness is the heart of generosity.
Global citizenship is the natural outcome of an awakening consciousness.
It may be the simple decision like shopping the Craigslist for used items rather than always buying new. It may be the simple choice of not buying your child yet another plastic toy that they will be bored of in 2 days and add to the wonderful world of landfills. It may be as simple as choosing paint for your new decor ideas at home. Eco friendly paint verses regular paint. The choices are there for us every day. More and more shopping options are availble to make a difference every day. So the next time you are debating about the organic apples in the grocery store vs. regular, think of the big picture. If I buy that organic apple I am supporting a system that gives back to the planet or not.
All I ask is to just think about it before you make your next purchase. Is there anyway your purchase could make a difference. You choice -give or not to give. I am hoping we will all choose to give in some way every day: 365days – 365 gives.