Money and Passion

I’m challenged by today’s post from Seth Godin’s blog  which concludes: “Money is more than a transfer of value. It’s a statement of belief. An ad agency that won’t buy ads, a consultant who won’t buy consulting, and a waiter who doesn’t tip big—it’s a sign, and not a good one.”

I agree with Seth: Do you want to know what you (or someone else) really value?  Watch what you spend your money on. 

I was just thinking about this as I consider my own spending and giving for December.  The reality is that I can’t buy everything and can’t give to everything.  That’s hard.   Yet, I feel most consistent when giving to what I’m really passionate about, even if that means saying “no” to things other think I should be more passionate about. 

Money really does show what we’re passionate about, interested in, even called to… or not passionate about, interested in or called to.  So we must ask ourselves, what do we spend it on?  Do we spend money on what we ask others to spend it on?   If the answer is “no,” may be time for some soul searching. 

I remember being challenged with this when I was the president of a non-profit in Boston.   I felt like a weak chicken if I wasn’t giving to what I was raising money to support, and trust me, there were times when my giving felt more like couple of copper coins in the kettle!   But, even then I could say, “Please join me in supporting.” 

Do you buy what you’re selling?  Do you give to what you say you’re “behind?”   

Or in the positive, could it be that where you do give and invest in now is really what you’re most passionate about?  Hmmm   At least something to say, “Hmmmm” about or… even do something about!

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