The Sharing Child
Have you ever watched a child who really wants to share their toy or food with another child?
Their face lights up. They get excited that there is enough for a friend and they experience the magic of sharing.
Now imagine a child who doesn't want to share. They're having a temper tantrum and they begin to shout, "mine, mine, mine."
If both of these children were, in fact, companies, which company would you want to support?
I once met a woman who worked with Stumptown Coffee here in Portland. She shared the company has a passion for helping the small farmer with health insurance and safe water. And because of this help to the farmers Stumptown Coffee does costs more.
Now I love Stumptown coffee, I don't mind paying more for it, and it's great that they've learned how to share their profits.
However, taking a clear look at my consumer choices, I must admit, I use the largest cable comany in the nation and they will probably soon become a monopoly, I don't have a clue who my cell phone supports besides themselves, and my car only gets 26 mpg.
Does this make me a bad person. Of course not. Do our money choices either support the company who shares and makes the world better or the one that continually shouts, "mine!" The answer is absolutely yes!
Monday Mindfulness
Join me this week and pay attention to where you’re spending your money. Notice without judment if your purchases are with people who honor the world as much as you do.
March 19th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Its tough spending more money for a product that is more ethically made for people on a tight budget.
Why dont companies and government act in an ethical manner so that our purchases reflect environment and ethical treatment of workers and countries???
Without strong ethics from the top on down and I think its tough walking into a hurricane.
Who has time to check out every product one purchases to find out its fairness??? It is very complex.
Maybe one isnt excused for choices but I think an ethical government and company ethics are essential for overall success.
March 19th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Wayne has valid points that government and company ethics are important.
And although important ethics aren’t alwasy included in decision making. For example 9 out of 10 people didn’t change thier diet when they found out they had a life threatening health challenge.
As a physician, I personally saw patients smoking outside the hospital after a stroke.
So what will change business and ethics. The power of people coming together and requesting the change.
Now you may not want to boycott a product, but this week just notice what companies your dollars do support.