Learning Curve

Experience is a wonderful teacher and despite the fact that I’m fast approaching 78 and been doing what I do for a long time, I’m still learning new ways about how the modern world functions.

On that note, let me share what experience has taught me so far as I try to build my “Cheerful Giver” initiative.

First, a reminder of why I started The Cheerful Giver. I saw an opportunity to set myself up as an “Ambassador for Giving.” In other words, someone who simply encouraged others, particularly the haves among us, to give more so that the have nots might be better off. Pretty basic, pretty simple and pretty straight-forward, so I thought. And, to the best of my knowledge, no one else was doing such a thing.

Over many years I’ve experienced the joy of giving and firmly believe that being a cheerful giver brings with it countless rewards, many sometimes hard to prove or explain. Then a few years ago, through circumstances, my world was turned upside down and I found myself getting old and alone, but still with a kick in me and still very keen to make a worthwhile contribution somewhere. That, and the fact that I’m still a businessman at heart, and with some entrepreneurial flair.

You’ve heard the expression, “you know what thought thought?” Well, I thought that a number of things would happen that just didn’t, and I was so wrong on so many fronts. I could write quite an extensive story on this, but I won’t, I’ll stick to a just a few things that I’ve encountered and I’m sure you’ll get the point that I’m trying to make.

I thought that charitable organisations, big and small, would welcome anyone who was willing to help them increase their potential for attracting more donations. Based on that, I thought it would only be a formality for them to at least be listed in my Directory with a link to their official website. I thought, given the extent many of them go to, especially the high profile organisations, and the money they spend to get donations, why wouldn’t they at least agree to be listed, especially if there was no cost?

Sadly, the fact is I have approached 30 or 40 well known charities on several occasions, offering them the opportunity to be part of The Cheerful Giver, and apart from a handful, most ignored me. A few who did respond initially haven’t followed through on what they said they’d do, and a couple of others did show the enthusiasm and appreciation I’d hoped for, and I’m delighted to have them on the site.

That’s some of what I’ve learnt so far and it’s obvious it’s going to take a lot longer than I first thought to see if The Cheerful Giver reaches the heights I think it could.

I’m in no way discouraged, in fact I feel really good about what I’m trying to do and enjoying the activity and the challenge. I’m looking forward to the journey ahead, if for no other reason to see where it takes me. In 5 or 10 years from now, The Cheerful Giver will be either a force for good or will have died a quiet death like so many other good initiatives that never reached their potential for one reason or another.

Cheers and go well!

Bob (Holland)

1^st October, 2025

Feel free to send me some feedback or comments anytime contact@thecheerfulgiver.com.au