The Giving Spirit

Do you have The Giving Spirit?

We spoke with Sheryn Cooper-Smith, Author of 'The Giving Spirit', about what instills the Giving Spirit in her and what made her decide to write a book about 20 women redefining success and inspiring the Giving Spirit in so many people...

Femail: Why write the book "The Giving Spirit"?

I've wanted to write a book for as long as I can remember. But for a long time I had no idea what to write about, just that I wanted to write something positive for young women. When I started my PR business Potentially Famous last year I had no inkling that the book I would write would be along the same theme. My PR clients are organizations in the third sector, basically those that have a strong community focus.

The idea for the book was born on a normal day over xmas break. I was watching Oprah one afternoon and the idea just popped into my head. She is able to help so many worthy charities through her Angel Network and I thought, there are so many like-minded people and organizations in Australia that are not widely recognized in the broader community, why not write about some of the women behind them?

I emailed a couple of friends to test the idea and they loved it, so I picked up the phone and started calling women I know involved in the community and it just grew. They were each so inspiring, and well networked - each women I spoke to gave me a contact and another and so on, until I soon had more than enough for the book. Everything just fell into place.

Femail: Have you changed along the journey to becoming a self-published author?

Definitely. Speaking to these amazing women and learning about their lives, how they got to where they are today, what drives them was a fantastic experience. I was pretty busy at the time- I was just starting up my business and was working full-time as well. But no matter how mad my day had been, every time I left one of those interviews I felt so inspired and energetic again. They each have such passion and compassion and have done so many great things - it's hard not to be a little humbled in their presence. But at the same time, the great thing about them is that they are ordinary women like you and me, who have accomplished extraordinary things. And what the biggest lesson I got from that experience was if they can do it, so can I.

Femail: What has filled you with such passion to 'make a difference'? Can you recall a particular incident or moment that led you to think, "that's what I want to do"?

Ever since I was little I enjoyed making people happy. I was a card carrying member of the RSPCA at age 6 and I was so proud!! But I think my mother had a lot to do with my passion to make a difference. I grew up in a single parent family and we didn't have much, but no matter how poor we were, if someone in our local community needed help my mother would always do her best to give it. She volunteered at our local community center, and when a neighbour was attacked in a home invasion and couldn't care for her two children, my mother took them into our home and cared for them like they were her own. That had a profound impact on me I think.

And it must have stuck because since then I've worked in PR on issues from adult literacy to threatened species, blood donation and homelessness. I use my business as a tool to do work I enjoy and to give a little back by helping my clients spread the word.

Femail: The women interviewed for the book come from an array of areas, each driven by different things, yet all of them are brought together by their desire to 'look out' for others: why these particular women?

I wanted to include as broad a cross-section of women as possible to show readers that it doesn't matter where you come from or how old you are or your level of education, and you don't have to take a vow of poverty and give up your entire life. Giving is wonderfully fulfilling and inspiring in whatever form it takes.

These women, despite their differences, nave some basic characteristics in common - they are passionate, compassionate, driven, determined, committed, and energetic. It's a pretty unstoppable combination!

Femail: What has been the most rewarding aspect of writing 'The Giving Spirit'?

I think the entire process has been very rewarding in itself. Seeing the book grow from just a speck of an idea to a plan, talking to women about it, interviewing them, writing and then pulling together the design and layout as well. It's been a real learning curve in many ways for me.

Femail: What are you really proud of?

Well it's my baby so I'm proud that I've made it happen! There have been some bumps in the road, and times when I wondered if it would ever really happen so to see it about to be launched is fantastic. But I think what I'm most proud of is having met these wonderful women and having been able to tell their stories. And if doing that means I can inspire other young women to follow their passion and give a little, that's enough for me.

Femail: What things do you hope people will take away with them after reading 'The Giving Spirit'?

I wrote the book with three things in mind really. 1. To encourage young women to find their passion in life, find out what they really love. 2. To get across the point that success is not about money and status and things that you own, it's about making yourself happy and doing what you love. 3. That caring about others and giving in whatever way you can is a really inspiring way to lead your life, and has a lot more to do with success than a BMW!

Femail: If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would you set about changing?

If I were in politics the areas I would focus on reforming are the welfare system, health and aged care. I think that there are many people in our society that are really suffering at the moment in the face of having a good looking balance sheet at the end of the day and I think if the powers that be would just think outside the square once in a while, we'd all be a lot better off.

Femail: Apart from writing and self-publishing your book, you also run your own Public Relations & Marketing company, are a committee member on a not-for-profit organisations and if that is not enough, you are set to launch your own Pyjama label. You are so driven. Where and how do you find the seemingly endless supply of energy?

Well, I'm basically an adrenalin junky so that certainly helps! My brain runs at a million miles an hour and it is hard to keep up sometimes! I guess I'm just someone who has a lot of interests and passions and I like to see my ideas come to fruition.

Femail: Are you ever concerned you will wear yourself too thin?

Absolutely! And I've done so a few times in the past so it's something that I have to be weary of. I have to be careful not to over commit myself as I have a habit of becoming ill when I run myself down too much. That's why it's important to have a balance of work, family and friends and R and R.

Femail: Has anyone in particular given you that extra push in times of doubt?

I've been very lucky in that sense. I have a really good group of friends, some of whom are also in business, and they are great at livening me up again if I'm feeling flat and tired out. When I'm feeling really stressed I take my dogs out for a run on the beach and that usually helps to put things into perspective.

Femail: What do you say to those people out there who have so much money that they don't know what to do with it?

First of all congratulations! Secondly, like I would say to anyone - find what you are passionate about and get into it. People who have lots of money can be just as tired, stressed and unhappy as the rest of us, but it does give them a great opportunity to make a difference in the financial sense as well as through their own actions. But I would also say invest in your own happiness first, and you'll have a lot more of yourself to give to others.

Femail: What do you find most amazing about human nature (people)?

Their strength and resilience. So many people out there are afraid to take risks, to get in there and really live their lives because they don't think they are good enough or are afraid of making a mistake. Well, I'd rather make a mistake or two along the way and live my life than sit on the fence because I'm afraid to fall. People just don't give themselves enough credit. You'd be surprised what you can handle if your heart is in what you're doing.

Femail: What makes you angry?

I get really frustrated when I see people treated badly. We all have something to give to the world in our own way. And if the people around you can't see that then you don't need them. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people and life is a much more pleasant ride.
Femail: What really 'tugs' on your heartstrings? Any particular cause?

That would have to be animals - whether its native species or dumped and abused domestic animals. I really feel for them because they can't talk back the way another human can, they can't tell you what's wrong. And people can be so cruel to animals, it's so saddening.

Femail: What is next on Sheryn Cooper-Smith's agenda other than the fore-mentioned projects?

I'm planning to start up a foundation to assist members of the community who can't adequately care for their pets. I'm putting together a network of groomers, vets, dog walkers and trainers and the like to volunteer their time to help out the elderly, disabled and the battlers who rely on their animals for love and companionship but who may not be able to afford basic care. I'm also going to establish an adoption service for animals who's owners are not able to care for them anymore, so that the animals won't have to go to shelters and risk being euthanased.


"Picture of Sheryn by Robert Hudson, courtesy of The City Weekly"

- Michelle Palmer