The Seesaw, The Smile, and the Secret Power of Giving
“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” – Dr. Seuss
The other night, Chelsea and I found ourselves out on one of our signature date nights—one of those evenings where life feels light, laughter comes easy, and love reminds you just how alive you are.
Chelsea, as usual, picked something new and exciting. She’s brilliant at that. Whether it’s a hidden gem of a restaurant or an activity we’ve never tried before, she keeps our love adventurous and our calendar unpredictable. This night was no different.
We pulled into a fun, high-energy outdoor restaurant with a giant patio full of adult-sized games—like childhood revisited but better, with string lights, music, and a chilled breeze. There was life-sized Connect Four, ping pong tables, swinging benches big enough for two, cornhole boards scattered across the grass, towering stacks of Jenga blocks, and even a full-size chess and checkers board set into the concrete.
But the final surprise? A massive seesaw—yes, a teeter-totter made for grownups.
Of course, we had to try it.
Now let me paint the picture: I’m quite a bit bigger than Chelsea. So when we climbed on opposite ends and gave it a go, the result was immediate. I sank straight to the ground with a satisfying thud, while Chelsea shot up into the sky, laughing and wide-eyed. She dangled there, completely at my mercy.
What happened next is the stuff of playful memories.
With all the power—quite literally—in my hands, I did what any mischievous but loving husband would do. I toyed with her a little. I’d let her drop a few inches, just enough to get her hopes up, and then—back up she went. We both laughed until our sides hurt, the kind of laughter that you feel in your chest the rest of the night. But something struck me right there in the middle of the silliness.
Chelsea couldn’t get down without me. I held the weight. I held the control. And at that moment, I had the power. But I also held the responsibility.
“Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness.” – Dalai lama
💡 The Power of Having Power
It made me think… isn’t that just like life? We all carry weight. Some of us more than others—financial weight, emotional weight, relational weight, influence, leadership. And with that weight comes… power. The real question is: What are we doing with the power we have?
In our hands, money can be a seesaw. With it, we can lift others up—or leave them hanging. The truth is, every one of us holds the ability to do good. Yes, with money. But helping encompasses everything. To make someone’s day easier. To serve. To love. To give.
💸 The Secret of Giving
What’s fascinating is this: studies show that givers are the happiest people on Earth. It’s built into our wiring. The more you give—your time, your smile, your kindness, your money—the more fulfilled, joyful, and whole you feel.
And when you give from the heart—when you pour into a person, a church, a family, or a cause that deeply moves your soul—you don’t lose anything. You multiply your joy. You ripple love far beyond what you can see.
It’s why some of our most meaningful client conversations aren’t about net worth… they’re about net impact.
🔐 The 50-Year Ripple Strategy
Let me share something out-of-the-box—and, in my opinion, pretty exciting.
We’ve had several clients set up what’s called Charitable Trusts, Endowment Funds, and other similar strategies. It’s a powerful move: they set aside money after they pass—not necessarily a huge amount—that continues to generate income and gives to a cause every year for the next 50 to 100 years.
Just think about that. Long after we’re gone, our money could still be out there working, serving, and loving people in our name. Still feeding the hungry. Still building homes. Still funding scholarships. Still sending kids to camp. Still spreading light in a world that desperately needs it. That’s not just legacy… that’s living legacy.
You don’t need millions to start one. You just need a heart that beats for something bigger than yourself. You can build something beautiful—a forever ripple that echoes the best parts of you.
❤️ Final Thought: Many Ways to Give
And here’s the most important reminder: giving isn’t just financial.
You can give a compliment. A call. A prayer. A hot meal. A ride. A smile. A moment of undivided attention. A story that gives someone hope. The seesaw moment reminded me: we’re all given weight in life. The power to help. The joy is found in using that weight—not to hold people down—but to lift them up. So, what power do you have today? And who could you lift with it? Give boldly. Give joyfully. Give from your soul. And watch how your world changes.
” A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25