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How Giving Can Sustain You
by Mathieu Powell
 Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People wrote we have two circles. A circle of concern - areas of our life we spend time and energy on that are outside of our control. And we have a circle of influence - areas of our lives, including people, events and activities we can influence.
Covey asks us to make a choice about how we spend our time and energy. He suggests, that instead of worrying about things that are completely out of our control, like worrying if the weather will ruin our plans tomorrw, we choose to focus our attention instead on planning to spend a rainy day with our grandkids to influence their lives for the better just by being present with them.
Our circle of influence includes those areas where our time and money can make a difference. When we focus our energy on our circle of influence, we gain more influence, and can have a greater impact. Giving time or money creates powerful changes within our circle of influence.
Long ago, a tiny tribe of Hebrews managed to preserve its cultural identity and flourish despite many obstacles. Perhaps part of the reason for this can be found in the teachings and the practices of the Torah dealing with the concept and practice of "Tzadakah" or charity.
They engaged in far reaching humanitarian practices, such as charity, helping the poor, the widowed and the sick. Practices we would today clearly define as modern "social action". For example, the Torah guides those gathering the crops of their field to leave the corners for the poor.
The concept of charity was and is mandatory to the Hebrew tribe and perhaps the power of giving helped to sustain one of the world's oldest existing civilizations.
May you also be sustained through giving!
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TRACS is a registered, non-profit charity dedicated to the kind and compassionate treatment of all living beings. In addition to hands-on rescue work and crisis intervention, we actively promote public awareness in areas where animals are exploited for profit, abused, or denied natural conditions.
The Vancouver Humane Society is dedicated to exposing animal abuse and assisting individuals, businesses and governments to end animal suffering, cruelty and exploitation.
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