Written by: Whitney Zora Stetler, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
My husband loves all things cars and recently read an article about a professional driver of today. The incredibly successful driver was asked if he ever donated to charity, to which he replied, no. His reasoning was that the funds rarely went to the party for which they were intended.
I see things differently, and while I am sure some charities have become so massive that a sizable portion of donations does go to running the business of the charity, I know the macro efforts are still aimed at helping others.
Any business strategist will agree that making lists of your visions and goals is a surefire way to increase the odds of them occurring in your life. I took a look over my journal from just one year and noticed that each day I wrote that I wanted to make philanthropic contributions. How do I get started?
I thought about my journal entries when I was called and asked to join Women United, a group under the umbrella of United Way. However, I cried when I was asked to also join their Leadership Council to give way to new ideas to raise money for those in need.
I was shocked at how quickly my dreams pulled me toward them. Time continues to unfold new additional opportunities to me. Each one is a chance for me to learn and share in the wisdom and kindness of others.
Thinking back to this article with the disenchanted driver, I thought about my life today. I tend to be an optimist, so I began to wonder how countless the benefits of philanthropic are, and frankly, I can make an infinite list of reasons.
Here is my shortlist:
Friendships
Increased wisdom
Networking
Business exposure
Character growth
Deep sense of inter-personal fulfillment and growth
Mastermind group experience
Fun events
Greater outcomes in the lives of others
Improved sense of community
Increased ability to understand the needs of others and community
Multiplied ability to fulfill the needs of others
Profound understanding of love
If you thought that money and time were the only things you had to offer in the field of philanthropy, I attest that you may be misguided. Let’s say you’re a successful entrepreneur. I would venture that you have some excellent ideas. What if you shared your brilliance for a cause outside of your own business? Perhaps you are in marking; what if you helped spread the word regarding the needs of others?
We want the world to be a better place. Let’s stand up together and make it so!
With love and joy,
Whitney Zora Stetler
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Whitney Zora Stetler, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Whitney Zora Stetler grew up in the mountains of Silver City, New Mexico, where she pursued music. She started a punk rock band in high school alongside her childhood best friend, Serena. She co-opened her first business, a coffee shop, at the age of 19. Whitney later received culinary arts degrees from The French Culinary Institute in New York City and Alma La Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana in Parma, Italy. Whitney sharpened her love of business as the accountant for Platinum Aviation in Fort Lauderdale. She later tackled sales and marketing in the medical field in Houston and Miami. Finally, Whitney was compelled by love to share the peace and wellness that her personal practice of yoga had long afforded her by earning her RYT-500. Voila! A trifecta of her favorite things: a classy cafe, yoga studio, and music venue culminated in forming Cocoa Yoga Cafe. Whitney is happily married to a handsome pilot, has two precious children, an adorable dachshund, and very lofty dreams.
