Thanks for the capacity to be giving

Jewish law requires that people give one tenth of their income to the poor.  That religious obligation is called Tzedakah.  So, if you earn 10 billion dollars a year, 1 billion of that goes to those less fortunate than you.  If you earn 10 dollars a year, 1 dollar of that goes to the needy.  Yes, I suppose that people will try to argue that they are needy in different ways (which is true) and, therefore, their self-proclaimed "neediness" qualifies them to receive Tzedakah without having to give it (which is not true).  Or maybe that, if you are earning 10 dollars a year, you can't afford to give 1 dollar away, but where's the compassion?  There will always be someone in the world who earns 0 dollars a year.

me, leaving big, tall building for the last time!

"The only certain things in this world are death and taxes," said Benjamin Franklin.  One of the reasons I opted against pursuing a career in a big, tall building (see right) with a big, green paycheck is that satisfaction in life comes with no pricetag.  If you die only with enough Benjamin Franklins to wallpaper the inside of your coffin, what have you really accomplished in life?  But if you die having paid it forward and having instilled rock-solid values and ethics into others by example, while having a wealth of priceless experiences along the way, one would think that that satisfaction would provide a whole lot more of a comfortable resting place than a handful of paper with Benjamin Franklin's picture on it.  Even still, if you are unable to set aside even one iota of greed to give to others, nota bene: there's something in it for you; charitable contributions can earn you a tax deduction, kind of like a compromise.  You give your money to charity; you don't pay taxes...isn't that a good exchange?  The government gives *you* Tzedakah.  But again, what makes you worthy of being given unto when you don't embody the giving spirit yourself?

I write this post not to be preachy, not to ask for Tzedakah for myself (though by Jewish law, it is frowned upon to refuse it), and not to convert anyone...I understand that many people (Jews and non-Jews alike) don't necessarily feel any obligation (whether religious, personal, or otherwise) to give unto others.  But how can you criticize the world and point fingers at people who or institutions that don't meet/exceed your expectations when you are not doing something to actively change it?

Luz Meri, me, and Elsi (El Salvador, June 2009)

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I feel it my personal obligation to acknowledge that which *I* feel thankful for and invite you to do the same (much like I did last year).  While I am in agreement with many about things to be thankful for (friends, family, significant other, my little ones in El Salvador, job, etc.), I also feel compelled to express my thanks for the chance to be giving, my thanks for the knowledge I have gained in my 27 years... that it is not solely particular items one should be thankful for, but also the capacity to appreciate them.

(Sidenote: I am pleased to report that my girls in El Salvador have passed another year of school.  Elsi (15 years old) has just passed eighth grade and will start ninth in January.  Luz Meri (9 years old, 10 in January) just finished third grade and will start fourth grade in January.)

So as you sit down at your Thanksgiving feast tonight, and as you update your Facebook status messages to reflect "all" that you are thankful for, I just want you to think about this: would you still be A-O-K if that turkey on your table were one tenth smaller?