How to Have a Life of Joy

Consider the following from Steve Goodier.

Do you know how to have a life of joy?

A businessman on his deathbed called his friend and said, "Bill, I want you to promise me that when I die you will have my remains cremated." "And what," his friend asked, "do you want me to do with your ashes?" The businessman said, "Just put them in an envelope and mail them as taxes to the government and write on the envelope, 'NOW YOU HAVE EVERYTHING!'"

Paying taxes is not usually a joy. But GIVING can be joyful. We pay the taxes because we have to. But when we choose to give time or money, then giving can add to our overall happiness.

Mother Teresa teaches us an important lesson about happiness. She was one of those people who emanated joy. Born in 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia, she felt called as a teenager to move to Calcutta, India. Some months later she saw a sight that completely revolutionized her life.

Shortly after moving to Calcutta she spotted a homeless, dying woman lying in the gutter, being eaten by rats. After seeing that, compassion compelled her to beg an abandoned Hindu temple from the government and convert it into a crude, make-shift hospital for the dying. "Nobody should die alone" she would later say. Mother Teresa went on to establish homes for the destitute dying in numerous cities. But in spite of devoting her life to people in such dire straits, she radiated joy and happiness.

This incredible woman was once interviewed by Malcolm Muggeridge from the BBC News. He asked her an unusual question: "Mother Teresa, the thing I noticed about you and the hundreds of sisters who now form your team is that you all look so happy. Is that a put-on?"

Here was a woman who had none of the things we like to think of as bringing happiness: a home, a family, prosperity. Rather, she lived in near-poverty and spent her time wiping dirt and various body fluids from half-dead cancer and leprosy victims -- and appeared to be blissfully happy. "Is that a put-on" she was asked?

She replied, "Oh no, not at all. Nothing makes you happier than when you really reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt."

She would agree that happiness does not come from acquiring, but is a by-product of giving: time, money, love. Do you want a life of joy? Start by giving.

-- Steve Goodier
Now you can add your own comments to Life Support. You can find more thoughts from Steve Goodies on his blog. http://stevegoodier.blogspot.com/

A note from our editor:
We don't have to go to India to find tired and hurting people. They are right here amongst us, ministries such as Clifton Sanctuary are next door, we just have to look for them. In this trying time won't you take a few minutes or hours and share your blessings with those around you?

Charitable IRA Gifting Extended

The charitable IRA legislation is back —don't miss this opportunity to make tax-free gifts from your IRA!

There's good news for individuals aged 70½ or older with individual retirement accounts. Thanks to the extended charitable IRA legislation, you can make outright gifts using IRA funds without tax complications.

If you are required to receive minimum distributions from your IRA and you do not need the money for personal use, consider using those funds as a charitable gift. While you cannot claim a charitable deduction for the IRA gifts, you will not pay income tax on the amount. You also will not need paperwork to prove a gift.

You may contribute funds this way if:

• You are 70½ or older
• Your IRA gifts total $100,000 or less each year in 2008 and 2009
• You transfer funds directly from an IRA
• You transfer the gifts outright to one or more public charities (This excludes gifts made to charitable trusts, donor advised funds and supporting organizations.)
  

The Benefits:

• In most cases, the transfer counts toward your minimum required distributions.
• The gift generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so even those who do not itemize their tax returns receive the benefit.
• You may transfer up to $100,000 directly from your IRA in 2008 and 2009.
• The distributions may be in addition to or fulfill any charitable giving you have already planned.

The Next Step

Be sure to contact tax professionals and your IRA administrator if you are considering a gift under this law. Gifts can be sent to Clifton Sanctuary Ministries at 369 Connecticut Avenue, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307.