What kind of person do you want to be? In what kind of world?
I want to be a compassionate person in a world where people have
authentic connections, meaningful conversations, and deep relationships.
Read here for why I believe that connection is a key element in philanthropy.
What I’m Hearing: Words of Wisdom
Melinda Gates released her book, The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World this week. This book tells the personal story of Gates’ journey from a funder and a partner working behind the scenes to one of the world’s foremost advocates for women, driven by the belief that all lives have equal value and that investing in women is the lever that lifts everything. She holds the viewpoint that the starting point for human improvement is empathy. She believes that connection creates empathy. When you get up close and personal, develop relationships with people in the communities, use your heart, intellect, energy, time and resources, you can impact change. Listen to her reflections here.
What I’m Reading: Words of Inspiration
David Brooks recently released his latest book The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life. In The Second Mountain, Brooks posits that those who embrace lives of deeper commitment and service to others find greater fulfillment. While the first mountain is focused on hyper-individualism, the second mountain focuses on relationships and the ability to create a deep, meaningful and purposeful life by focusing on the other. He believes that relationships are the drivers of change. Read his New York Times opinion piece, The Moral Peril of Meritocracy here, or delve deeper with him in an interview with Ezra Klein here.
What I’m Watching: Words of the Heart
Brene Brown, The Call to Courage on Netflix. This 76- minute Netflix special is a quick introduction to world-renowned researcher, social scientist, and best-selling author Brene Brown and her philosophy that, in order to live the most full, authentic lives, to engage and connect with people in a real way, we must have the courage to be vulnerable. Courage and vulnerability aren’t opposites, they’re linked. She goes on to say that psychological isolation is the most dangerous condition that we experience as a society. We confuse communication (social media) as connectedness.
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel
seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment;
and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
What I’m Saying: Pulling it all Together
“Giving with Purpose & Passion: Making the Most of your Charitable Giving”
How do your values align with your commitment of your heart, intellect, energy, time and resources? How will you connect? Come join me in a conversation on the evening of Thursday, May 16th with Beacon Pointe Wealth Advisors (email for more details)
Creating Authentic Connections
I work with people to connect with their core values and make meaningful connections with the people, issues and causes that are important to them. I coach individuals and multigenerational families on their philanthropic and community engagement strategy. Together, we explore their values and develop a plan to leverage
their time, talent, treasure and ties. Click here to connect with me and start our conversation.
Warmly,