How Giving Changes You (and maybe your tax return too)

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love." -Hamilton Wright Mabie

3-Minute read

When you write a check to a worthy cause, you do more than just "give". There's more to it than a tax deduction and more to it than adding value to whichever organization you happen to support.

When you contribute to a cause, you ignite a powerful transformation within your subconscious. This sends a resounding message to your primal instincts, showing that you are not enslaved by your financial status or material desires. You demonstrate to your inner self that you possess more than just 'enough '.

And I'll tell you what I've seen more often than not from my clients who do this: even more money seems to be in your hands.

Look ... this isn't some "prosperity scheme" or a magic secret formula. I'm pointing out what I've observed over the years of watching client finances and what happens when people make an effort to be charitable.

Money finds itself with those who are willing to give it away.

Those who choose to give are often those who, when they look back on the past decade, realize that they decided to give more and, years later, found a far better financial position than when they gave less. Coincidence?

But the main reason is not because "give and you will receive." I'd say the main, best reason is that you find yourself set free from the money fears that might rule you.

Why else should you give?

There are a couple of other good reasons I can think of:

You create for yourself a network of people and organizations who are grateful. I've seen this dynamic at play in the business arena as well. When you are openhanded, someone to whom you've donated or given (be it time, money, connections, or other resources) eventually comes back to you with something you need at just the right time.

When you act or give generously, you're doing the most powerful form of networking on the planet. Obviously, there are better, less self-interested reasons to give, but there are certainly worse ones.

When you give, you realize that your circumstances are more straightforward than you might think. Feeling abundant is not just about having a large bank balance, but also about having a wealth of opportunities, experiences, and relationships. This feeling of abundance is especially true when you don't just give financially but also of your time and heart.

Sometimes, giving to institutions that work with the poor can make you appreciate your enormous wealth. It can also make you aware of personal poverty that isn't solved by adding zeroes to a bank balance. This 'personal poverty' could be a lack of purpose, a feeling of isolation, or a sense of disconnection from the community. If you do it right, you change for the better, not just financially, but also emotionally and spiritually.

With these reasons and the monetary benefits to your tax return, I urge you to stretch yourself this month. Give more than you think you should. See what happens.

And let's talk in 2034 about what happened when you did.

While I advocate for generosity, I also encourage a thoughtful approach to giving. Impulsivity is not the goal; instead, consider calculated action.

However, take advantage of the tax advantages of gifting appreciated stock or other less common forms of gifting.

The vibe is in the air…be joyful and feel abundant; you are a force for good!

Love, Janet, Lynn, Amy, Steve, Ashley, Meg, and the ‘rowing crew’