(Juan Delgadillo[1])
At its core, Happy Living is about Giving. In everything we do—our books, blog, podcasts, and retreats—we endeavor to give knowledge and joy to our community so the world can be a happier place.
One of our greatest allies in this mission is the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Through Matt’s books, The Belief Road Map and Turning Inspiration into Action, he was honored to meet and get to know Make-a-Wish founder, the amazing Frank Shankwitz.
As a young boy, Frank and his mom were essentially marooned in Arizona on the side of Route 66—out of gas, out of money, unsure where the next meal would come from.
A rancher found them and took them in. For the next six months, Frank and his mom slept on the kitchen floor as they figured out their next move, receiving beans and tortillas from neighbors and odd jobs here and there. Frank never forgot those times and subsequently devoted his life to the motto of: “Whenever you can, give back.”
Matt, aka Mr. Happy Living, caught this mantra and has run with it. At restaurants, he tips 50%, always—no matter if the bill is ten bucks or ten hundred—because he knows how much this means to folks in the service industry. He is generous to his friends and employees, and all our Happy Living affiliates. (You should’ve seen the array of Christmas gifts he sent out all over the country[2] .) He is generous with his knowledge, his life lessons, and his wisdom.
Yet, perhaps most of all, he is generous with his time. Whether it’s a neighbor or a stranger in need, Matt goes out of his way to help without thought of reward.
A renown speaker, for the right cause Matt waves his speaking fee and speaks for free. Which is just what he did recently at Make-a-Wish’s Wake up for Wishes holiday breakfast.
One “Wish Kid” wanted to manage the Cincinnati Reds for a day. Another wanted a new John Deer tractor. Laughs and tears abounded. And Matt Gersper MC’d it all like a maestro. Check out the highlight video and the text of his speech.
And remember: giving is powerful. Wishes are special. So, give when you can and help improve the Happy of the World.
Read Matt’s opening and closing remarks.
[1] Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In on Route 66
[2] Damnably delicious Paleo Treats® use NO stabilizers, NO preservatives, NO synthetic stick-around junk; these are pure whole food desserts made from Paleo ingredients.
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