By Mary Jaksch
The daily news is depressing: more people out of work; more people hungry; more people in despair.
An instinctive response would be to hunker down and look after number one. Yes, you could do that, and in doing so you would fan your fears and feelings of insecurity.
There is another way to respond: instead of holding tight to what we have, we can be generous to those in need.
In that way we open our tight fist and offer a helping hand to others. What happens when we do that?
We feel uplifted, and connected – and even happy!
Please watch the inspiring video below. You’ll see that generosity is not limited by poverty. In a TED talk, Jacqueline Novogratz tells a moving story of an encounter in a Nairobi slum with Jane, a former prostitute, whose dreams of escaping poverty, of becoming a doctor and of getting married were fulfilled in an unexpected way.
I was very moved by this video. And it gave me an idea. What if we join our helping hands, here at Goodlife ZEN, and make a real difference to peoples’ lives?
There is a wonderful way in which we can help people to help themselves. I have joined Kiva, the microlending
I want to invite you to join me and become a microlender at Kiva, a non-profit that allows you to lend as little as $25 to a specific low-income entrepreneur in the developing world.
You choose who to lend to – whether a baker in Afghanistan, a goat herder in Uganda, a farmer in Peru, a restaurateur in Cambodia, or a tailor in Iraq – and as they repay their loan, you get your money back.
Here is someone I’m supporting:
Ndaga Beye MBAYE is a married woman who sells jewelry and ready-to-wear clothing for children in Diourbel, a small rural city located 150 km from Dakar, the capital of Sénégal. This is her first loan. She’s going to use it to replenish her stock of merchandise in order to serve her customers better in the area. She supports her family with her enterprise.
The loan request is $325 and $75 has been raised so far. $250 is still needed. Maybe we could manage that all together?
To join, click on the Kiva banner in the sidebar.
What do you think about my idea?
Photo by Ferdinand Reus
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
that is wonderful Mary.
It can be hard to let go of the fear of the future and the tight hold we have on our possessions and wealth as they seem to be in danger of diminishing. If I get into that holding tight mindset, I begin to fear losing it so much that, I cannot fully appreciate and enjoy it. Being generous allows me to feel the joy of giving and being alive right here right now.
Hi Deb!
I’ve been quite anxious about the economic future. But since taking the tack of generosity, I feel a deep sense of confidence and happiness.
When you hit bulls eye in life – you really know it!
Thank you and Miraz for pointing out Kiva to me.
Helping and giving unto others is truly living in the solution. It takes the focus off of your own problems and diminishes their power.
The widow in the bible that gave her last mite (cent) is a great example of true giving.
Giving should also be made in secret, with no expectation of return; CS Lewis gave to students in need, and many others – and his giving was completely anonymous until after he died when his personal records were discovered.
Chad Prigmores last blog post..The Spirit of Rebellion
Hi Chad!
That’s a wonderful story of CS Lewis giving in secret. That’s what I like about Kiva – we give in secret, but we know who we’re giving to.
Hi Mary,
I once read that the best way to eliminate poverty or economic crisis is by being generous. The concept being that money, like water, cannot pass through a tight closed fist. And helping another to have a better life is definitely a great example of being generous. KIVA is a great idea!
Nadia – Happy Lotuss last blog post..Don’t Mess With Mother Nature
Hi Nadia!
Yes, we have to open that tight fist. And the great thing is that the open hand releases us from fear of our own financial future!
What a great post! – both your article and the powerful video.
Yes, more and more I see that if one embraces paradox, then there is an opening and movement. So, as you say, if we are feeling that there’s not enough, then going towards generosity and giving, opens up the tightness and allows us to feel how much more spaciousness and possibility resides within. I am inspired by Jane’s courage and commitment to others. Thank you.
Hi Jane
Yes, you are right about generosity opening up spaciousnes – my tight fear about the future has softened. Just from the simple act of giving. It’s magic!
HI Mary, This sounds a wonderful idea.. I will get my $25 off asp… Love Yashu
Hi Yashu!
That’s great! I’ve actually started a lending group called Goodlife ZEN at Kiva. You can find it here: http://www.kiva.org/team/goodlife_zen
Hi Mary, I have been with KIVA for a couple of years now. No regrets. Last thanksgiving I gave my family members all a gift certificate so that they could get started on KIVA. A gift for that certain someone who seems to have it all perhaps?
Doug,
Calgary, Canada