I recently observed an incredible phenomenon. I watched as a small orange chest designed to keep cold things cold broke all types of fundraising records. Ironically at this same time a bowl of potato salad has also reached absurd support levels. Does this show of an underlying cultural shift? Where is the social good? Do we have the right focus in our lives and in our investments? What can we learn from these fundraisers and what does it tell us about our world values and priorities?
Cultural Priorities
I believe we can see several priorities of this culture which raise some cause for alarm and would do us well to think on. I don’t say these projects shouldn’t exist and I certainly am not against having a good time. But clearly there comes a time when focus is lost and our priorities become skewed. I list four wrong questions that are asked.
What Does It Do For Me?
Clearly based on these and other recently funded projects we as humans are focused on those items which will benefit us personally. We’re looking for conveniences and humor. Those fundraisers which give us something. The “me” culture which has become so pervasive in our world continues to thrive. We look for those things which will do something for us. We focus our time and give our hard-earned money towards those things which will make us happy. I mentioned humor a second ago, that leads directly into the next human value we find in our world today. Of course it’s human nature, survival instinct, to protect and support ourselves. But what about our neighbor?
Does It Amuse Me?
We want to be entertained. We want to laugh and be happy. There is of course nothing wrong with being happy. I enjoy being entertained as much as the next person. [tweetable]But the problem comes when we focus more on those things which will amuse us rather than improve us.[/tweetable] When we spend all our time seeking ways in which we can entertain ourselves we fail to help others. We fail to acknowledge the struggles, the hurt, the pain others are experiencing. There is a time and place for everything. We must be cautious to not become out of balance in seeking to be entertained.
What Is Everyone Else Doing?
These types of fundraising efforts very clearly demonstrates the human nature to follow a crowd. No one likes to be alone and no one wants to be the one on the outside of a group. We follow the crowd. Suddenly supporting these projects become nothing more than joining the crowd. When a tipping point occurs in a project and enough people have backed the venture it becomes almost a necessity to be a part of the movement rather than risk being the outsider. We as a culture fear being left out of something. And yet, we don’t fear being left out of everything, it seems a strange sort of dichotomy the areas where the power of the crowd influences people.
Does It Make Me Feel Uncomfortable?
I believe we can draw from these rather frivolous campaigns the concept that we have a culture of ignorance towards the uncomfortable. Almost in a sense that if we don’t see or hear about those things which make us uncomfortable then they don’t exist or are not happening. We deny their existence and act like a little child who covers their eyes and disappears from the world. The world is full of people suffering, hurting, and in need of help. You don’t have to look very far to find worthy organizations in desperate need of funding. But this is not pleasant to think on. These organizations make us uncomfortable and do not entertain us; nor do they provide any direct benefit to us. Therefore it is easier to ignore them then to do something about the problem.
The Right Questions
The harsh reality unfortunately shows a culture which lacks empathy for its fellow human. I’m not denouncing every fun and whimsical fundraising effort. I love the excitement and the entertainment involved with them. What I notice however is when these humorous projects are taken to an extreme. When they reach absurd levels and continue to grow while many far more worthwhile and beneficial organizations struggle to make ends meet. I’ve said it before. The key is moderation. When things are in balance there is room for both.
Who does this help?
When evaluating a project this is a great question to lead the way. Who is benefited from the fund raising attempt and in what way. How great is the need and how dire the situation. There’s certainly room for both the fun and the serious projects, but they should be moderated. If you’re only backing projects which do something for yourself, take a moment and look at the other projects which are seeking to do social good. Are there any you can support and improve the life of someone else? Does your backing allow for children to receive medical help, food to eat or a bed to sleep in?
How does this help?
The next great question to ask yourself when evaluating an organization or a fundraising project is how does this help? This often goes hand in hand with who does this help. The next step once you’ve identified who is helped is determining what good comes from it. Even as a single person you can make a difference. When we join together we can do powerful things. We can impact our world and we can implement changes for social good. How does the donation you’re about to make help? Do you save a life, change a village, or even change your world?
What can I do?
This is a powerful question. Ask yourself what you can do. This means acknowledging a need, recognizing a problem and looking to actively be involved in the solution. Don’t be discouraged or think you have little to no impact. Every person counts. Every bit helps no matter how small. What can you do? Maybe you can go further, beyond just a button click and a monetary donation. Can you do more? Take the idea of backing something farther than just virtual backing. Lace up your work boots, pick up a tool belt, a medical bag, or just your passport. What are your skills, what are your talents and what can you do?
Stay In Balance
Our current culture is out of balance. Let’s slow down and focus a bit more on how we can do good. Ask the right questions and we’ll find the right answers. We can find ways to be involved in social good and help others. When we do that we’ll find we are much happier and far more rewarded then any cooler or potato salad could ever make us. Next time you’re about to back a project ask yourself, are you balanced? If you need help getting started here’s just a few worthy organizations for you (there are of course hundreds more): St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital https://stjude.org Doctors Without Borders https://doctorswithoutborders.org Charity : Water https://charitywater.org No Kid Hungry https://nokidhungry.org Habitat for Humanity https://habitatgsf.org Bring Love In https://bringlove.in Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity https://donate.gosh.org/