TITHING and THE INTENTION OF RECEIVING TO GIVE

Posted by Lisa C. on Jun 23, 2012 in DOING GOOD | 0 comments

A few months after arriving to Miami I met Jay Feldman, an EXCELLENT corporate business coach who turned me onto Kabbalah. I read several books and really dove into the teachings. One of the teachings that really stood out to me is that of tithing. I like it because regardless of religious practice, tithing spans across all. Every religion tells us to give to those who are less fortunate.

In the book, True Prosperity by Yehuda Berg, Kabbalah teaches that when we open ourselves to receiving for the purpose of giving we draw more prosperity and abundance. The universe wants people to pay it forward. That energy is rewarded with more abundance to do just that. Give! We can tithe with our time, our knowledge a monetary donation or both. When friends or friends of friends ask me for marketing advice or to help them brand their business cards or websites, create a social media campaign for their small business or update their resume, I consider that a form of tithing. I am lending time and knowledge to someone in need not expecting any sort of return but having faith the good tithe will lead to more good.

Tithing is powerful stuff. It requires us to take on a fun challenge. Every time you get paid, take 10% and figure out where to give. You can pick some charities you feel passionate about. You can take $50 and get $5 and $1 bills and put them in an envelope called “tithe” and keep it in your car. When you get gas give a stranger $5.00 to put towards their gas. You’ll see their face light up. It’s pretty cool. There are loads of fun ways to give money away. Go to CVS or the supermarket and tell the person in front of you that you’re giving them money to out towards their bill. OR if you can, offer to pay the whole thing.

The other day I needed good tithing from others. So I chose to post semi-nude photos in a blog article and initially on facebook to raise some immediate donations for a breast sonogram that my insurance, which is now a luxury good in America, does not cover. When I was raising my own funds I decided to post an album of semi-topless photos of me on my Facebook to get the word out. Within hours of finding generous people to donate, I took the album down but left my blog article up to continue to shine a light on a broader issue.

My controversial approach pissed a few people off. Oh well! I could really care less about  pleasing  everyone. That’s not my ambition. Others admired my creativity and bravery and commented favorably. People got heated, came after me on my Facebook Wall for all to see. It was a trashtastic mess yet very eye opening and a blessing in disguise for sure. So called “friends” were deleted and blocked from facebook. In my opinion these people have major superiority complexes and missed the entire point and refused to look at the INTENTION behind the actions. They just presumed it was me seeking attention. IT WAS!! Absolutely!! “WHY IS LISA SEMI TOPLESS” because PAY ATTENTION, our health insurance system sucks, is all about money and it’s a sad sin that people can lose their jobs and then all of a sudden be uninsured or under-insured. I needed money as many others still do and I was grateful to see how many men and women donated. Some were survivors themselves, strangers who saw my tweet linked to my article and then offered a donation.

These hater people were so offended by my choice to link my breasts to a bigger issue, accused me of being an opportunist and spewed their lecturing, hateful, comments all over my facbook wall. Whatever, I have zero use for small minded people in my life who fail to understand that to get people talking about an issue that is far bigger than one person (me and my boobs). I just have other things on my plate and can’t afford time wasted engaging in absurdity. People are entitled to their opinions but when they come at me in a nasty way I take pity on them. There’s obviously something deeper going on in their lives to get so heated. Let them waste energy on anger at me.  In the meanwhile, I have tithing to do and prosperity to strive for. Chatter and noise only distracts from the bigger goal.  GIVING!!

So now that the drama dust has settled. My breast results are fine, normal and healthy with nothing alarming to worry about. I am grateful. I also had to verbally ass kick some jealous women and men who need to find their heterosexual nuts. On facebook I was able to list a few charities I decided to give what little I can to now and then increase as my income increases again (which it most certainly will).

CHARITY FOR THE BOOBS!!

http://www.rightactionforwomen.org/, is the website for Right Action for Women: A Christina Applegate Foundation, which was established by award-winning actress Christina Applegate, in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. In 2008, after receiving her breast cancer diagnosis, Applegate created the foundation to educate women about what it means to be at “high risk” for breast cancer and encourage them to talk to their doctors about appropriate screening. Right Action for Women will provide aid to individuals who are at increased risk for breast cancer and do not have insurance or the financial flexibility to cover the high costs associated with breast screenings. I recently was informed I was underinsured and that the sonogram portion of my breast screening would be a $350 out of pocket expense. I took to social media and managed to get sponsors from friends and family. After going for my breast screening, and getting the word that I am healthy, I saw Christina Applegate on The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet and excellent new interview show having very real, honest conversations with women celebrities. Her story and the charity that she created inspired me to give.

CHARITY FOR THE FURRY FRIENDS!!

http://www.humanesocietymiami.org/

A lawyer friend of mine volunteers and plans fun “PETNET” social events designed to raise money for Greater Miami Humane Society. Events are usually $20 and they take place at different hotspots on South Beach and Brickell. It’s a great way to tithe, be social, and meet other pet-loving people. I LOVE doggies, always adopt, have fostered 2 dogs and found them forever families. Tithing to animals is incredibly important to me.

CHARITY FOR THE HOMELESS!!

When I worked in New York the homeless were just another obstacle of the awful commute. The objective was to get from Port Authority Bus Terminal to my office with as little interaction with other human beings as possible. New York hardened me. That New York, work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep lifestyle tugged at my soul. No longer were homeless people HUMAN BEINGS just like me who at one time ran and played, ate candy and mattered to someone. We ALL MATTER. Even the idiots who bashed me on facebook MATTER to someone. WE ALL MATTER.

Ok so 5 years ago, when I saw a homeless person I’d get disgusted, hold my breath to avoid their smell, and walk on by. Only people who worked mattered, right?? Everyone else was just a drain on society, such awful thinking. Thank GOD my time in Miami away from that grind of a life in New York helped me to switch my head.  Now, when I get paid for a work project regardless of how large or small, I take 10% of it and get $1 and $5 bills. Then when I see a homeless person I give them money and in return I get a “Thank You and God Bless You.” “You’re welcome and God Bless you too.” Right away you just feel good. I once handed out dollar menu McDonald’s fries to a few homeless I saw up Alton Road. Who doesn’t love a snack of McDonald’s fries? Puts smiles on people’s faces.

I went from making $115k per year with full health benefits, 401k, a house in the burbs, ZERO credit card debt to a major life shift. When I was called in to get the news on May 8^th 2009 that I was being “let go” I had a sinking feeling in my gut. I’ve been laid off before. But this time was different. I knew it was coming and I was exhausted at the life I had bought into. The thought of interviewing, getting hired by yet another PR firm to slave with ZERO loyalty in return was too much. I decided to freelance, take some well needed time away and sort out what really lit me up.

What I realized during this time was that I didn’t have support. I was alone. I felt as if I couldn’t depend on anyone. Who was going to pay the mortgage? My husband was out of work sort of floating around unsure of what he was going to do next. All it takes is one layoff, a divorce, a death, any life turn and ANYONE can fall on hard times. But it’s what you choose to do during hard times that shows you what you’re truly made of.  Are you creative? Do you ask for help? Do you let pride and the judgements of others take over and prevent you from taking action?

These days I spend my time job hunting, client hunting and networking. Miami is a very very difficult market but I believe people are drawn to me for a reason. It’s fun to network in a more social environment. People are starting to recognize me, my blog and are incredibly supportive. Tithing is powerful. Give and you get. It’s that simple.

I don’t have a rich daddy or an ex husband paying alimony. The choices I made in my 20’s are affecting my life NOW. I am 100% on my own. The money I saved (because my gut told me to prepare for changing times) is running out and I need to set up stability for myself. Now, my goal, unlike before, is to receive for the purpose of giving. I’ll continue to give to the HOMELESS and other charities that interest me. I won’t any longer view them as a blemish on a lovely city but instead I’ll open my handbag, ask them their name and say here, have three dollars.

Tithing excites me. I started to do it and have seen the effects of it. What is good for me comes and what isn’t doesn’t stick. Tithing helps the universe situate itself for more giving. People who distract and stir up anger, frustration and negativity in you vanish. Then people who see value in you and want to help you to succeed as they succeed, appear.

So try it. Get a bunch of singles. Leave a wad for the bathroom attendant lady. Give the valet guy and extra few bucks. Give a dollar to the guy in front of you at CVS fumbling for his change. GIVE!! If you seek prosperity giving is the best way towards it.