“The kindness rooted in our hearts is eternal as if hundreds of lights brighten thousands of miles.”
- Xiao Gang, Emperor Jianwen of Liang in Northern and Southern dynasties

The weather is getting colder and life is going back to normal. There is no doubt that entertainment brings us pleasure in the short term. But what is the meaning of life? How to find peace of mind and true happiness?

The news I read recently touched me deeply and gave me a sense of happiness.

A gift from Chip Wilson to nature

Last week, Chip Wilson, the founder of Canadian sportswear brand Lululemon Athletica announced a $100 million donation to the B.C. Parks Foundation for protecting and improving the natural environment.

His brand also emphasizes "Be Planet" by adopting the concept of sustainable development in fashion design and production. To find out more stories about this Vancouver billionaire and Lululemon, please read our article: Lululemon, Winner of Winter Olympics.

Chip Wilson and his wife Shannon have always been passionate about philanthropy to help people around the world, from funding the construction of the Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University to medical research and environmental protection.

The Chip and Shannon Wilson School of Design
Image source：Canadian Architect

As global citizens, they give not only to Canada but also to the world. In 2007, they established a charity organization "imagine1day" in Ethiopia to improve education there.

"Imagine1day" photos
Image source: @jessicareyna4imagine1day

Giving can make a change to yourself and even the world. Are you still searching for the true meaning of life?

Patagonia, a gift for the future

Just a day before Chip Wilson announced his donation, billionaire Yvon Chouinard has given us a big surprise. He decided to donate Patagonia, a well-known American outdoor clothing company entirely to non-profit organizations and specially established trusts. It is a company worth 3 billion US dollars in the market.

Yvon Chouinard has always been keen on rock climbing since his youth. Later he turned this hobby into a business.

His technical advancement and route exploration had a great impact on modern rock climbing and mountaineering. In 1968, Yvon Chouinard discovered a new California Route with The North Face founder, Douglas Tompkins. The documentary "180° South" was inspired by this special trip.

The founders of two famous outdoor brands and the documentary "180° South"
Image Source: Unofficial Networks, Amazon

This journey also inspired Yvon Chouinard to establish Patagonia which was named after their destination. The iconic logo of the brand is the silhouette of the “Monte Fitz Roy” in Patagonia.

Countless rock climbing and mountaineering activities have strengthened his love for nature and deepened his concern for environmental protection and climate issues which became the major reasons for this huge donation. He wished all of the company's profits (about 100 million USD per year) to be used to combat climate change and protect undeveloped land around the world.

On Patagonia's website, you can see the announcement, “Earth is now our only shareholder”.On Patagonia's website, you can see the announcement, “Earth is now our only shareholder”.

Image source: Patagonia official website

"I didn’t want to be a businessman. Now I could die tomorrow and the company is going to continue doing the right thing for the next 50 years, and I don’t have to be around."

- Yvon Chouinard

Generosity and giving can pass from one generation to the next.

From charity to cultural differences between China and the West

There are differences between Chinese and Western definitions of giving. We grew up in Chinese culture. The education we received since childhood always emphasized “Only those who endure the most become the highest. A drop of water shall be returned with a burst of spring.”

However, life in North America showed me that those who have not suffered much still live comfortably. In China, people emphasize “Pay back” while in the West, people value “Pay it forward”.

Pay it forward, let love spread

Kindness need not be repaid to the original benefactor but to those in need.

"You don't pay love back; you pay it forward"

-"Garden of Delight" by Lily Hardy Hammond

A broader meaning of "giving" is rooted in Western culture which allows love to spread further and beyond a particular receiver. Like Chip Wilson and Yvon Chouinard, they give away the wealth gained from society to benefit the whole world.

Famous philanthropists in the US， Source: Forbes

"Giving" is a simple concept, but it has different interpretations under various cultures

World Giving Index (WGI)

According to the "World Migration Report 2022" released by the International Organization for Migration, one in every 30 people in the world is a migrant. As of 2020, the total number of migrants has reached 281 million, accounting for 3.6% of the global population. Among them, China as the world's fourth largest immigrant outflow country has about 10 million immigrants. This number counted only those who have already taken action and moved to other countries. If potential migrants are included, the number will be even greater. Ordinary players choose the standard services, and high-end players choose the custom services.

Pay it forward. With a border definition of giving, western culture shares a greater view of philanthropy. It is not surprising that western countries are reputed internationally. This culture is rooted in Commonwealth countries and shapes the people there.

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."

- Winston Churchill, former UK Prime Minister

The Commonwealth's robust heritage system and programs

The Commonwealth of Nations is a group of 53 independent countries (including territories) such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, New Zealand, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, etc. These countries cooperate frequently in economics, tariff, mutual recognition of academic qualifications and visa wavier.

Source: Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

The advancing Common Reporting Standard (CRS) will soon or later make the practice of hiding money oversea unavailable. Immigration now serves multiple purposes. Helping high-net-worth individuals planning for tax residence is only one of them. Antigua, known as New York's "back yard" with 365 beautiful beaches in different colours can give you a passport of visa-free to 165 countries and regions. This program will fully benefit your family planning and asset allocation. With an Antigua passport, you can go wherever you want and leave at anytime!

Antigua, St. Kitts and other cost-effective Commonwealth passports share the same features, low tax rate, no global taxation, exemption from inheritance tax and capital gains tax, etc. They are the best choice for tax residence planning, asset management and inheritance planning. It is not surprising that many global investors have a favour for these countries.

Giving forms part of our lives. Globalization allows us to think as global citizens, to let us move on and focus on our future.

Angela Bi 毕颖

TCT Arte House, Founder

angelabi@tctandco.com

Written on September 22th, 2022

Chinese Version 中文版

Giving is priceless