In this week’s conversation, Tila Falic shared a familiar story about the man who asked to be buried in his socks. His family tried to honor the request, but Jewish law didn’t permit it. When they opened his will, he explained: “I wanted you to see that you can’t take your possessions with you. Not even a simple pair of socks.”
When describing how and why she gives, Tila used this story to articulate a call to purpose: You are what you give, because in the end, what we give is the only part of us that continues beyond us.
As Tila illustrated, purposeful giving is a way of life that begins at home.
It begins in the way we speak to our children. Our community activism. Our values driven conversations that intentionally lead beyond “how was your day”. And a commitment to give when we receive, even if it’s a stack of birthday gifts.
Tila also reminded us that giving should be dynamic and shift to adapt to the most pressing needs. After October 7, there was a surge in needs, and Tila has been focusing and refocusing her giving ever since. Better giving means constantly refining what you support, based on a personal blend between the needs at hand, your capacity to meet them and your passion to commit yourself.
Today’s note is simple:
Start at home. Feed your values driven passion. And remember that what we give will outlive us.
— Avi