The Magic Cycle of Generosity
Inadvertently, I may have stumbled onto a tonic for what ails us here in the US
A man unpopular with many is murdered, leaving a tsunami of conflicted feelings behind. In normal times, we might just move on. However, these are not normal times. Cruelty has become standard operating procedure used by the current power structure for dealing with those outside of, and feared by, that elite group.
I find myself trying to feel compassion for the murdered man’s family while deploring everything he stood for.
Suddenly, an insight …
Several months ago, I volunteered for the Planned Parenthood Book Sale. It seemed like a normal choice: books have been a prime mover in my life and the annual used book sale impressed me with its organization and purpose. Spending time every week sorting and thinking about books was simply another delight.
This week, however, everything changed. The collecting and organizing phase ended and the makeover into a retail book wonderland phase began. I had no idea it would be so exhausting to turn 200,000 books (delivered by three huge moving trucks) into a well-organized (temporary) book store. Fortunately, the book sale is in its 51st year so the institutional knowledge on how to create this event is deep.
For three days, while my feet and hips complained, I’ve watched magic happen. It’s like an ant hill with each of us doing our own jobs, setting up the tables, adding signage, creating ways to help buyers find books that will thrill them.
Cycle of Generosity
Yesterday, as I limped home with all of my aching bits and pieces, it occurred to me just what a cycle of generosity this event is. Donors donate books partly to declutter and partly to contribute to a worthy cause; volunteers spend their time partly for social connection and partly to support a worthy cause; buyers buy books partly for the bargains and thrill of the hunt for special books and partly to support the community’s health care needs.
All in all, this is a mutually generous structure where everyone feels part of a bigger cause.
Creating used book sales is not the answer to our present crisis … however, finding ways to create generosity cycles could go a long way to building connection and countering the direction we’re headed.
I would love to hear about any cycles of generosity you are involved with.
ASIDE: This is Day 11 of my hundred day process of developing my graphic design skills. So far, I’ve purchased a new iPad, connected with an instructor on Udemy, and recognized how far I have to go … and not just in days.
What a great idea behind this, where, as I stare at the shelves of books I know my kids will trash after I'm gone, how I'd love to donate them to a worthy cause. A thrift store will just trash them, too, so that's not the way to go, but is there any info or plan that can be followed to set up such a thing? Or is there a way to donate to the entity you are writing about?
PS: This is what I've been circulating:
Clearly business as usual isn't getting anywhere, so how come we aren't talking radical alternatives? Mine is a coup to install a presidential team: Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Anne Applebaum, and Marianne Williamson. Oh, what a heavenly foursome that would be!
Joyce, you continue to be an inspiration. And thank you for this uplifting post on the cycle and circle of generosity.