With the end of the year approaching, it’s time to review, summarize and analyze the year gone by. If you’re a self-employed consulting engineer as I am, you may tend to think of a year in terms of 52.5 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours — a percentage of which are billable…
Of course I make a few resolutions: Eat more leafy greens and fewer French fries. Get more cardio exercise. Observe more speed limits (well maybe). Call Mom more often. Be more generous and give more to needy, worthwhile benevolent causes.
I am very mindful of the times in my own life when other people’s generosity or mercy or hospitality or patience made a difference in my life. I’m quite sure that almost everyone, no matter how affluent, successful or powerful they may be, has benefitted from the kindness of others at one time or another. And I believe this lays an obligation on us to pay it forward.
I try to be pragmatic about my charitable giving. I give to organizations and causes that I care about, that have touched my life or the life of someone I know. I try to be thoughtful and to target and time my giving so that it will have a real impact.
This year I am focusing my giving on the Wounded Warriors Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded by a group of veterans and friends who took action to help the injured service men and women of this generation. America’s injured service members deserve honor, respect, admiration — and all the support they can get. I feel proud and humbled to support their efforts and invite you to have a look and give this fine program your consideration.
