Generosity

The world's second richest man, Bill Gates, and his best friend and the third richest, Warren Buffett, used to be busily making money.

Now they are as focused on giving their fortunes away for charitable and humanitarian causes as they once were in making them.

And they have not stopped there - they are now encouraging their billionaire peers to do the same - to give away at least half of their wealth to charity.

The incredible thing is this - many of the richest people actually responded positively to this call. Collectively, they have created the largest philanthropic movement that the world has ever seen.

As a result of this campaign, forty of America’s billionaires have pledged to give more than half of their fortune to charity. These great people, besides Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, include CNN founder Ted Turner, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Hollywood director George Lucas.

The world is changing. Because of great men like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, many of the high-net-worth's are now inspired and taking a chance to rethink on how they can do more for humanity. The definition of philanthropy will soon change.

Most of us are certainly no billionaires, but are we exempted from giving just because we are not mega rich?

Not in the slightest.

Some people are very generous. Unfortunately, they are only generous toward themselves and not to others. They buy themselves expensive houses, posh cars, branded accessories, and wine and dine in the fanciest restaurants and hotels.

However, whenever these people are asked to help the less fortunate by donating in cash or kind, they become hesitant. Their spirit of generosity vanishes into the thin air; their meanness and miserliness raise their ugly heads.

I know someone just like that - this 'Dato' guy has a multi-million net worth, a huge mansion, a garage filled with exotic cars, watches that cost more than your Proton Sagas - but he will not give a cent when it comes to charity.

He says, "Why should I? It was not I who caused all these problems!"

Selfish! Selfish! Selfish!

One of the most attractive qualities a man or a woman can have is generosity - one that is not towards self but towards others.

Philanthropists are very 'sexy' people to me. I find them most appealing and attractive. They radiate charm that few people possess and few can resist. They are like magnets; wherever they go, they bring blessings and happiness to the people around them.

Yes, generosity makes you a more popular person. However, you do not need to be a big-time philanthropist to be liked. All you need to do is to try some of the following things:

- pay for a meal for someone else
- donate a small amount to the Kidney Foundation (or another such cause)
- help a friend in genuine need

When you are generous towards people, your love and care for them manifests itself.

Newton's Law applies - action and reaction. When you love people, people will love you in return.

And when people like you and love you, many possibilities can open up - you can make new friends, find a special someone or gain new business opportunities.

Your generosity needs not be limited to merely financial. Be generous to others in non-financial ways as well, like praising a subordinate who has done a good job, being forgiving to someone who has trespassed against you and showing sympathy to a friend who has suffered a misfortune.

If you want to be more successful than the current you, learn to be more generous to others.

The more generous you will certainly be a more successful you.

“Life is about constantly going beyond limits!”
- Erican Chong