How Does the Fund Work?

Every time you wear TWISI, you're not just expressing your perspective—you’re elevating someone else's. Each time a product is purchased, 2$ is loaded into the GP&G Fund. These funds are used to spontaneously gift a random person who's going through tough times with a book about stoic philosophy - Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius. The man who served as the emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 AD. 

Why Choose "Meditations"?

In my own life, I experienced overwhelming tribulations when I lost my mom, Heidi, my ex girlfriend, Layla, my aunt, Stacy, and my grandparents, Badu, Yaya, Barbara, and Gary. I've also been challenged in a life-altering way by chronic pain in my right shoulder for the past 2 years. However, Marcus Aurelius' Meditation's played a key role in assisting me to reframe the way I see those events in an incredible way - a way that allows me to stare tragedy in the eyes, lean back, deliver a double middle finger salute,  and without resentment, say, "f*** off! You can throw any type of bullsh*t you want at me. I'm going to use it, turn it into something good, and make my angels proud". Or, at least that's my modern-day, 20 year old way of translating a key theme of the book.

If I was going to try and explain it in a more sophisticated way, I'd say that Marcus Aurelius' words in this reflective journal act as a guiding light through the midst of chaos, struggle, and uncertainty. The profound wisdom in his "meditations" serve as blueprints that undeniably mold a greater perspective. The book reminds us that while we can’t control external events, we can always control our mindset and response to what happens to us. So, the way I see it, I'd be selfish if I didn't try to spread the messages within his book and try to bless other people with this small, but hugely valuable asset. 

"But Some People Probably Won't Even Read the Book You Give Them - Why Not Just Give Them Money Instead?"

Maybe so - some people might not read the book, or be moved by it in a significant way. However, the concept is that giving strangers who are struggling this book is far more valuable than giving someone $5-$10, because if we're able to give away 100 of these books and only 1 person is touched by its contents, and the book instills seeds of hope, resilience, and strength in their mind, then that "1 person" could go on to transform their life in a beautiful manner. Even if it's just 1, that would make this whole thing worth it. This applies for anyone, but specifically for someone who is being challenged by life, the book is capable of opening doors of self exploration and growth that are pivotal to transcending one's struggles and reframing them, so that the obstacle becomes the way.

Will the Fund Look Different in the Future?

That's the goal! Right now, after pouring 100s of hours into the question "with a restrained budget, what is the single best way that I could help someone who's being tested by life?" I came to the conclusion that it is 100% this book. However, as TWISI grows, and the GP&G grows along with it, our community will be able to help people in bigger, and bigger ways. At some point, I want to partner with addiction recovery services, supportive housing organizations, mental health support organizations, youth mentorship programs, etc... to distribute this book in bigger quantities. Beyond that, I see it fully possible that TWISI and the GP&G can grow large enough to bless people with funds that do things like paying for a stranger's hospital bills, rent, or maybe even tuition. These aspirations may sound overly optimistic, or even delusional, but in the Lorax, the Once-ler says it best

"It's not about what it is - It's about what it can become"

 

 

Thank you to Jimmydarts, MDmotivator, and JoshlilJ [instagram handles] for inspiring the idea behind the GP&G fund. Your content touched me profoundly in times when I needed it most and inspired me to do a similar thing, just in my own way. Go check out their pages and use their content as a broad reference for what TWISI's GP&G related content will look like.