That is what I felt when I had the gathering in my house last weekend of 10 ANGEL AGENTS, as I call them.
This gathering was to launch “The Secret Society for Creative Philanthropy” an idea that Courtney Martin, a young successful writer from New York had couple of years ago. Since then, she has made headline news in several newspapers and sprouted several chapters around the country.
The idea is simple but the process is fascinating; Get a group of 10 people of various ages and backgrounds, give them each $100 and send them off to the community to “do good”. Then, in one months time, gather them back so they can tell their stories. You can read more about it in the link below.
So we had our first gathering and the initial conversation was fascinating.
There were questions like:
What is the spirit of giving?
Is money the most necessary component in the giving process?
What are others ways we can engage in everyday giving?
What is the true benefit of giving?
Who are the main benefactors, the givers or the receivers? Could it be both?
If the benefactor benefits too, does it mean he/she is self-serving?
What if the most deserving to get the money at the moment of decision is the “giver” him/herself?
What if the agent, as they are called, had a really rough month, and needs nurturing and care ? What if the agent never engages in self care and this $100 inspired him/her to take care of themselves first? Is that wrong?
Shall we give the money anonymously or in person?
How do you engage in giving?
These questions and more started our journey as the “Secret Society for Creative Philanthropy” but more than anything it brought back home the important of being engaged with others in true acts of kindness.
The kindness activity started from the moment they all sat around the table. Ten strangers in a few hours became fast friends around a common cause embedded in compassion. They established rapport, listened attentively to each other (see video) they laughed, they shared their uncertainties about the project, and mostly, they let their imaginations lead them.
The process was creative, as there were no specific directions given. The anxiety at the beginning of not knowing what they were exactly expected to do turned into an excitement of having all the possibilities open ahead of them. What came to my mind was a study Christine Carter is quoting in her book Raising Happiness:
“Just thinking about Giving seems to have an effect on health and Happiness similar to doing Giving” ( pg. 34)
I can’t wait to have all these Angels Agents back at my house on April 24th to tell their stories.
As families with young children, how do you engage in the creative process of giving? I am sure you have plenty of stories to share with us, which we would love to hear.
Christine Carter shows in her book that latest research shows the many benefit of being kind: lower anxiety and depression, increase in happiness, higher self esteem , longevity, better physical and emotional health. The list goes on and on. The most important thing, I think, is that kindness is the engine that turns the wheels of the world so it can go around.
Courtney said when interviewed by Selena Sermano:
“ I didn’t grow up with any formal religion–something I have sometimes been sad about–but if there was any dominant ideology in my family, it was be kind to everyone, always”
Children learn to be engaged in kindness acts at home:
Families who model giving generously, show empathy and kindness to each other, and provide kids with care- giving opportunities, as well as allow time to have thoughtful conversations about those activities, wil benefit both themselves, their kids and the world we live in.
Photo by: ToddAPorter
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the discussion your group had. I especially enjoyed hearing (and watching) the part about perhaps it would be ‘just’ and or ‘kindness’ to give the money to oneself. Lots to consider when getting involved in a project like this – thanks for sharing!
wow! I am so incredibly inspired by what you are doing. So much so, that I am moved to try this out myself, however, with a child led perspective. I feel that it is incredibly important to teach my children about the value of kindness and compassion. I can’t think of a better way to explore this than to have a conversation about what it means to “give” with my kids and guide them through this process. Stay tuned…
One of the most rewarding holiday gifts for me and my grandchildren is the money I give them to, in turn, forward in their name to non-profit organizations helping children around the world. They get excited when the colorful brochures of gifting opportunities arrive in their names and we imagine all year about how the many rabbits, chickens and goats are growing some where in Africa or South America.