Unemployed man’s giving gave him ‘best year of his life’

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By Daryn Kagan, Contributing Columnist 3:35 PM Saturday, December 11, 2010

I remember the ringing in my ears and feeling a bit dizzy as I walked out of the boss’ office at CNN, freshly informed they wouldn’t be renewing my contract.

Just like the millions of Americans I had been reporting on, I was getting an upfront, in-person taste of what it felt like to lose my job. I felt shock, fear and scarcity. “How long will my savings last? What will I do next?”

After some good sobs, I realized I’d actually been given an opportunity. Yes, an opportunity, to ask myself, “What do you really want to do?” Most people thought I’d find another job at a different television network, but my heart was telling me something else.

That’s why I was so inspired by Reed Sandridge. He, too, has gotten his share of “What are you thinking?!” looks.

He was a 35-year-old director of a health-related nonprofit organization when he got the axe in September 2009.

He knew the job market was tough. “I figured it might take as long as seven months to find a new job,” he told me. “I had enough to pay my bills for a year, with a little left over.”

It’s what he decided to do with that “little left over” that just might blow your mind. Reed started giving it away each day, $10 at a time.

Focusing on his less-than-fruitful job search was depressing, but suddenly he had a new purpose — setting out each day to find a stranger to give $10 to, no strings attached.

Inspired by his late mother, he set aside his fear about finding that next job and instead focused on reaching out to those around him.

“The basic lesson,” he said, “is when you need things, focus on others, and good things will happen.”

It’s hard to believe that when you’ve just lost your job.

But in my own case, it’s not that I believed. It’s that I needed to believe.

I didn’t waltz out of the boss’ office thinking, “I feel sooo good about the world that I will go focus on all great things happening!”

No. I needed to see good things happening in a world that wasn’t bringing me much joy.

I started an inspirational news website so I could be inspired.

That’s how I first met Reed. I heard about what he was doing and his blog www.YearOfGiving.org.

“I’m having the most incredible adventure,” he told me back in May.

He’d given $10 to homeless people, to corporate executives, students, elderly, you name it. He always took time to visit, find out what they planned to do with the money, but made no judgment on their plans.

On Day 136, Reed met Warren, a newspaper vendor who told him he would use the money to buy groceries that night.

On Day 165, Reed met Alirio, a city parking attendant. He planned to add the $10 to his savings account.

Day 193 saw Valerie H., a housecleaner, turn around and give the $10 to a young mother passing by with her baby.

Reed always figures he’s getting the better end of the deal.

“There’s something euphoric about giving,” Reed explains.

All the while, Reed kept looking for a job. And honestly, despite all his do-gooding, the job search took longer than he thought.

When I first interviewed him in May 2009, he still hadn’t found one.

With the Year of Giving coming to an end Tuesday, I wanted to check back with Reed to see how it’s been going.

First of all, I’m happy to say Mom was right about good things happening. Reed doesn’t just have one new job. He has two! He’s now the executive director of the Urban Philharmonic, a nonprofit orchestra that brings classical and jazz music to low-income communities. And he’s a regional development director for the World Wildlife Fund.

Reed’s job status isn’t the only thing that’s changed. So has he.

“I’ve spent $3,650 on the best year of my life,” he said. “If someone were selling this adventure on eBay, it would be the wildest bargain ever. I’ve laughed and cried with people as they’ve shared their stories with me. I couldn’t have bought this for what it’s been.”

He followed his heart, even when folks tried to tell him he was crazy for giving away the last of his savings with no job in sight.

Reed figures there might be some other “crazy” people out there who want a chance to feel what he’s been feeling, so he’s turning his blog and $10-a-day giving project over to others.

He’s inviting unemployed folks to sign up and take the project over for a week. They’ll now share their stories of giving and how the experience affects them.

If giving away $10 doesn’t sound like a good idea to you, Reed says no problem. You have something even more precious.

“My biggest lesson from this year of giving,” Reed shared, “is that time is really more valuable than money. Each person I gave $10 to seemed to appreciate the time I spent with them, hearing their story, more than the cash.”

As we hang up, I realize that I’d still be sitting in that CNN anchor chair if they hadn’t kicked me out the door. And I haven’t missed it a single day since I’ve been gone.

If you’re one of those still looking for that next job, folks like Reed and I know that times can be scary. We also know if you listen to your heart, you might just find what we have.

Losing something you never wanted to give up just might be the biggest gain of your life.

Daryn Kagan is the creator and host of DarynKagan.com, an online community that features a daily Web cast of inspirational stories. The former CNN anchor and news reporter is the author of “What’s Possible! 50 True Stories of People Who Dared To Dream They Could Make a Difference.”

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