It is not just rich philanthropists who show their benevolence. Most people become grandparents during mature adulthood, and their reputation is well known for showering gifts, privileges, encouragement, and guidance on their grandkids. Other people in mature adulthood volunteer their time on grand juries and school boards, or devote countless hours to community organizations that support the needs of individuals at all stages of life. During mature years it simply becomes easier to be benevolent since this is the peak age for the accumulation of wealth. Mature years are also the period in life when one generally has both the good health, and the time to devote to worthy causes.
Benevolence is a quality that can be expressed at any age. There are many examples: a nine-year-old teaching a six-year-old how to ride a bike, a young adult taking time out on weekends to mentor a troubled adolescent, and an eighty-seven-year-old slipping a twenty dollar bill into a birthday card for a great grandson.
You don’t need to be a billionaire to be benevolent. You don’t need oodles of spare time to demonstrate your giving nature. Five minutes calling a sick friend or relative can bring a smile to a face. Everyone has some expertise that they can share with the world, whether it’s baking cakes, framing houses, packing boxes, teaching English, caring for abandoned pets, or any of a thousand other skills.
The only thing that is absolutely required is a willingness to open your heart to the possibilities that exist around you every day for helping others. We all need to find our inner mature adult, regardless of age, so that those around us will be able to benefit from whatever benevolence we have to give. In this way, we can make the world a better place for our having been in it.
Erma Bombeck said it so beautifully: “Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plan loving one another.”
When we share something of our own with another person, it gives both of us a special feeling. Benevolence blesses the giver as much as the receiver. Sometimes we feel selfish, wanting to hoard all our treats or treasures. But when we secretly hide them away, we cheat even ourselves from enjoying them.
Giving love and friendship to others works in just the same way. When we express love and kindness to others, we feel more love toward ourselves. Though we may not understand just how it works, we can be certain it does. The more of anything we give away to others, the greater our own rewards will be
Thankful for the Richest Benevolence
I am a fundraiser for great causes that make a difference and change lives. I appreciate and give thanks for those who are most benevolent. In June of 2006 the greatest act of philanthropy in history occurred when Warren Buffet, the second richest person in the world, agreed to give away most of his $44 billion fortune to a foundation started by Bill Gates, the wealthiest person in the world.
This event has great significance for the field of human development because it illustrates the level of benevolence that is possible for people in mature adulthood. Bill Gates in his 50s and Warren Buffet in his 80s span the entire length of this stage of life. Were it not for the generosity of people in this age group, the world would endure much more poverty, disease and ignorance than it does today.
By Bob Mueller
Bob Mueller is Bishop of the United Catholic Church. bobmueller.org
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