Philanthropy For All!

  
  

By
Dr. Laurel A. Sills

  
 

 

 
   This year, during our W. Bloomfield Optimist Club's Guest Membership Day, I became motivated to write this article. I was enjoying our special speakers, meeting new potential members and hearing stories that touched my soul. I realized just how much my membership in this club over the past year and a quarter has helped me grow, and feel better, and not just because I was helping to support our community's youth.   
      
  Whenever we do philanthropic things, there are many motives and benefits that fit our personal agenda. Most people say they join causes to help others. We spend dollars to give to the needy, to support others, and to fund scholarships and opportunities for those who would not otherwise have chances in life to accomplish certain goals. We also join to belong, to network, to promote our own businesses and to feel good about doing community service. What is wonderful about being philanthropic is that good will not only goes out, but also comes back to us.  
      
  When I was a guest speaker for the Optimist Club of W. Bloomfield in October 2000, I saw a good group of people that were cheerful, optimistic, and charitable, and who made me feel good to be there with them. At that time, I joined more for that reason than any other. I knew the club did good things, but I did not know exactly what they did.  
      
  Fatima Plater, dynamic Governor of Michigan's Optimists and teacher at Loving Elementary School in Detroit described how she used to fear talking in front of groups. As she committed to the cause of helping youth, she learned to diminish her own shyness. Today, she is a fabulous speaker. She motivates thousands of people every year to spread the money, confidence, support, guidance, and pride of helping kids participate in oratorical and essay contests, and to work towards the welfare of others. She informed us that each Optimist who joins our club positively touches the lives of 33 youths just with our dues alone. As our club grows in size, the positive impact upon our youth is extraordinary.  
      
  Cedric McSween, Sr., Lieutenant Governor of Michigan Optimists talked about the acronym, "Attitude." He said ATTITUDE is key to everything we do. When we work together Affectionately as a Dedicated and United Team with Tenacity and Energy, and we take the Initiative to Target kids in need, we not only help those kids, we also help ourselves and many others involved. As kids do things that deserve recognition, we grow from knowing we were part of that process. Both children and adults alike enjoy hearing how they matter and how others are proud of them. When we take pride in a child and see their face light up in response, it is truly something to cherish. Mr. McSween told a story of a little boy who cried when his friend said, "No one's ever told me that before" in response to being told, "I am proud of you" by an adult. We need to know that we matter and that we are valued.  
      
  More than anything in this world, we all need affection, involved conversation, love and inspiration to feel good. We all need to make a difference and to matter. We need optimism as a philosophy of life to advance patriotism, friendship, respect, educational and professional development, and to promote an active interest in civic affairs. The Optimist's purpose and creed says that it is in the process of giving of one's self in the service to others, we advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world. Our creed says to promise yourself,  

"To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.|
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and to make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble."

      
If we can all live up to this creed, we will surely feel better about ourselves and the world will be a better place. Volunteering can certainly diminish depression in others, but also can help lift our spirits. When we contribute to a wonderful cause, we typically gain personal fulfillment at the same time. In the process of helping, we also can enjoy the camaraderie and new friendships formed with other dedicated team members.
      
Philanthropy is clearly a two-way street—a street that deserves the honor of being called, "A Natural Beauty Road."
      
  
This article was written by Dr. Laurel A. Sills, a Fully Licensed Clinical Psychologist (since 1987) and Life Coach. She provides direct, down-to-earth, short-term therapy with long-term results. She is passionate in her work and will help you stay motivated to change your life with regular commitment to changing habits in thinking and behaving. See her website at: www.DrLSills.com or www.BuildAStrongerYou.com 		 
Copyright 2006© Laurel A. Sills, Psy.D.
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