Spread Too Thin - Time And Money - The One Year Book of Inspiration for Girlfriends
Spread Too Thin - Time and Money
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. —Norman MacEwan
IF THERE’S ONE THING we all have in common—regardless of age, income, or profession—it is that we are all spread too thin when it comes to time and money. Especially when it comes to investing our volunteer time or our cash in organizations and charities.
Women are hardwired to care deeply, and we are inspired to bring about change for our children and grandchildren. But the problem comes when we take our many passions and spread them too thin—making little difference to any one cause. Or worse, we fail to invest in the programs we care about the most. I know because my own charitable giving has been spread too thin.
Not long ago, as the guest of my financial advisor, Carol Meyer, I attended an event called The Power of the Purse, sponsored by the Dallas Women’s Foundation and underwritten by Merrill Lynch. The topic: women in philanthropy.
This event was an eye-opener for me. I realized my giving was often more what one presenter called an “honored obligation” than a “passionate investment” to create change. My honored obligations were competing with my passions, and more often than not, those things I felt “required” to give to often won out over the things I cared most deeply about.
Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the LORD their offerings of gold—brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the LORD. (Exodus 35:22)
I realized it was time to give as much consideration to why I was giving as to how much. In fact, it was essential if I wanted my gifts of time and money to matter, not just to others, but to me.
