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p2pnet news view P2P | Cool:- Every day I write about the unrestrained greed and bloody mindedness of Vivendi Universal, EMI, Warner Music and Sony Music whose sole purpose in life seems to be to steal as much as they can get away with, and give back as little as possible.

So it it’s pure joy to be able to tell you about a family here in British Columbia who believe — truly believe — it’s better to give than receive.

They have a site called Guerrilla Giving which represents “one family’s adventure in philanthropy.”

“We are a family of four — my wife,  two boys and myself,” says Dad, going on »»»

We have a modest income that is sufficient for our needs (most months).  We live in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

What?

Guerrilla Giving is (r)evolutionary–at least it feels that way for us.

Revolutionary because in today’s world, freely giving of our own resources on a mostly daily basis subverts many of our silent agreements (e.g. capital equals security, give as a tax write off, save for a rainy day, etc.).  It calls into question our ego’s insatiable appetite for self-gratification.  It lifts our sights to a higher vision.

Evolutionary, because Guerrilla Giving emboldens us to step into a current of grace that draws us forward as a global community.  It opens our hearts and hands to each other, especially to the stranger.  It employs a model of trust in the benevolent spirit of life.

As such, Guerrilla Giving is, in truth, a kind of guerrilla marketing for a life of connection—between ourselves, our neighbours, and the transcendent (God, Universe, Spirit, whatever name you choose).  There are, of course, countless ways that people nurture their spirituality, whether it’s through yoga, meditation, prayer, or commitment to a spiritual community.  All of these are fantastic.  We have also found that giving on a (mostly) daily basis is one of the most exhilarating disciplines to teach non-attachment (for me–a daily struggle) and the interdependence of all of life.

When and How Much?

Just as we are blessed in innumerable ways each day, our plan is to give on a daily basis whenever possible.   For a year (a lifetime?), we’re committed to giving away 10% of our annual gross income in daily increments to mostly random recipients.  We have had experience with tithing in the past (10% traditionally)  but it was often done as an after-thought, at the end of the month or at the end of the year–written as a cheque or dropped in an offering bowl.  Giving like that was rarely joyful for us.  Guerrilla Giving, on the other hand, is fun, adventurous, and immediate.

Do we have any second thoughts, doubts, fears, anxiety about all of this?  Absolutely.  We’ll share some of these thoughts as we go along–but go along we will.

Where?

Wherever the Spirit leads.  The gifts will often be money–randomly planted in places throughout the city.  Other times, gifts will be things (food, clothes, flowers etc.) given usually to random people.  Finally, some monetary gifts will be given to underappreciated (usually out-of-pocket) organizations, groups, movements, individuals whose mission resonates with our own values and who could use a bit of help–not only financially but also with the raised profile this blog may provide them.

Why?

Good question.  I’ll write a post sometime soon about how this “calling” came upon us.  But that’s what it feels like–a call.  A call to trust.  A call to risk.  A call to adventure.   AND, it’s a ton of fun!

The truth is that few other things give us as much joy in life as giving does and we want to enter more fully and intentionally into that joy.  We don’t need to be rich to be philanthropists.  Giving is something to be enjoyed by everyone regardless of income, class, or status.  Just as we breathe in and  breathe out, we were made not only to receive but to give.  And here’s the thing–giving is always the more rewarding of the two.

Now you know how …

Cheers!
Jon

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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win ~ Mahatma Gandhi

October, 2009

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