“Charity is just writing checks and not being engaged. Philanthropy, to me, is being engaged, not only with your resources but getting people and yourself really involved and doing things that haven’t been done before.” – Eli Broad

It’s 12 : 22 PM on day 1553 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, pray, read Isaiah 38, publish my Disability of the Day feature,    publish my Kid of the Week feature, promote my Educate Generations campaign – on $1 190– feed myself  a peanut butter sandwich and a banana for breakfast and continue promoting my campaign – still on $1 190 so far but I am grateful 🙂

Today I was thinking about reasons to and not to get into philanthropy and this is what I came up with. Take a look:

3 Reasons Not to Get into Philanthropy (and 1 Reason to)

Don’t get into philanthropy:

1. For the money – I am fortunate that I have everything I need and more thanks to my parents but I laugh when I see my bank balance.
2. For the recognition – if you get into philanthropy to be recognized or admired you’re in for a world of disappointment because frankly most people are too busy with their own lives to even notice what you’re trying to do.
3. To make friends – when you meet people at a party and tell them you’re building wells or something most people will tell you how wonderful you are and then disappear never to be seen or heard from again.

Do get into philanthropy:

1. If you want to have meaning in your life – you may not have money or recognition or friends but when you’re in the philanthropy world you go to bed every night knowing that you made (or tried to make) a difference.