GP

GP

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Memorial Day


 
General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of Republic officially proclaimed Memorial Day in 1868. General Logan thought to create a day in which we could honor those who have died in service to this great country. Additionally, he proclaimed this day to be a reminder to take care of those who were left behind. In his General Orders he stated the following:

"If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from his honor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan. "

This Memorial Day honor those who have literally given everything. Raise a flag at your home, decorate a fallen soldiers grave and maybe most importantly, give to those that they left behind. Give of your time, talent and treasure.

God Bless the U.S.A.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Talent in Store




Recently I was watching a television show about people who buy and then sell the contents of abandoned storage lockers. You know the ones ,the rows upon rows of storage units that vary from size to size and seem to be on just about every street corner. Well, one of the younger buyers stopped to ask one of the more experienced buyers for some advice. The more experienced persons response was essentially, "I do this for  a living, any advice I give you I will have to charge you for."

I thought "wow" what is this world coming to when simple advice from a friend or co-worker has to come with a price.

At The Giving Principle we advocate giving of your "time, talent and treasure". This is one those instances when giving of your talent is all that is needed. The ability to pass on some of the knowledge or talent that you have accumulated over the years is often more powerful than any other gift you can give. It often can not be measured the way a monetary gift or a gift of time can, but it can be one of the most influential. Why? Because eventually time passes on, treasure is consumed but talent is something that can be kept and used forever.