charitymatters, Author at Charity Matters

Charity Matters Quotes November 24, 2014

Living your purpose

“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

As I mark my one year anniversary as the Executive Director, of a non-profit youth leadership organization, I find myself full of gratitude. I know it is Thanksgiving week, but this is more than being grateful. I am in awe of the path that lead me to this place where I am in a position to inspire, engage and motivate hundreds of middle and high school students each year. In turn, they are in the position to do the same to me and have.

More than motivation or leadership, what I find brings me the greatest joy is living a life of purpose. I was telling a girlfriend about my job the other day and she responded, “Wow, I didn’t realize you could get paid to make the world better?” Her reaction surprised me a bit. More than that, it made me think that my “payment” is so much more than a check (don’t get me wrong, raises are always appreciated).

Of course this past year has been full of challenges and road blocks but what great adventures aren’t? Life is journey and when you get to a place on your path, when you get to be your best self and show that to others…..well there is simply no place else I would rather be.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration November 21, 2014

Tasting life twice

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.”

Annais Ninn

This week I have been thinking about writing. When I saw this quote, I thought it really summed up my experience. Life is so rich and yet sometimes I feel that not everyone really sees what is happening daily right in front of them. I’m sure I don’t catch it all either but what I do see and feel, I am compelled to share.

“Tasting life twice, in the moment and in retrospect,” such beautiful words and a little food for our souls.

I hope this weekend is full of life worth tasting twice.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Profile November 19, 2014

Write Girl

A few years ago, I did a post on an amazing organization that gives girls a voice. No, it wasn’t about public speaking or singing but rather, writing. Writing for me is the place when my voice comes alive and my soul speaks. It is the purest connection of who I am. Writing is the way I articulate my path and purpose, and I’m obviously not alone in my passion for expression.

When I discovered the New York City non-profit called Girls Write Now that gave girls their voice through a writing mentorship program, I found myself wondering why this didn’t exist in other parts of the country? When I decided to revisit the topic this week, I discovered an amazing woman here in Los Angeles named Keren Taylor who has done just that with her non-profit WriteGirl.

In December 2001, Keren Taylor wanted to partner girls with writers to help them find their way through pain, adolescence and provide them with a tool to improve their lives and move forward. That tool was a pen and a mentor. Six months later, after a handful of workshops that began partnering girls with writers/mentors, WriteGirl had published its first book and that was just chapter one.

Thirteen years later, WriteGirl has received over 58 Book Awards, in 2011 they received the prestigious honor of Non Profit of the Year and last year, the First Lady awarded WriteGirl with a National Art and Humanity Award. As their slogan says, “Never underestimate the power of a girl and her pen!” I couldn’t agree more.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes November 17, 2014

To Write

“You don’t write because you WANT to say something, you write because you HAVE something to say.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald

The other day as I sat down to write, I realized that I had written more than 500 posts. I’m not quite sure just how that happened, but apparently I have had more than a few thoughts to share. I am a communicator, it is what I do. Writing, to me, is more than communicating.

We live in a world with so much noise that writing is actually my quiet. It is a time to really think about something, to find a subject’s heart and then to share that heart and hope the message is not just delivered, but felt.

That is why I write. I write to think, I write to feel and I write to share.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes November 14, 2014

Charity Matters Quotes: Journey

“There is one way to learn, it’s through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.”

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

We started the week with a moment and are ending it with a journey.

There is one way to learn and it is through action.

What is your journey?

I hope part of it includes a wonderful weekend.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration November 12, 2014

Unbroken

Have you ever read a book that stayed with you, shifted you, and made you think…really think? I just finished reading one of the most amazing books, trying to beat the movie which comes out on Christmas. The book was Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand about an incredible and inspiring human being Louis Zamperini. Since yesterday was Veteran’s Day, I could think of no better example to model our Veteran’s than this remarkable man.

I know many of you have read it and/or heard the story but it one that is more than worth retelling. It is the real life story of a boy aiming at the Olympics, who ends up in WWII with unbelievable stories of adventure, torture and survival. But more important than anything is Louis Zamperini’s attitude, his ability to forgive and his message of the resilience of the human spirit.

As you know, Louis Zamperini died last year. You may not know that he was a non-profit founder, after the war he started a home for troubled youth and dedicated his life to helping others. The man was pure inspiration. If you give your self a gift, sit down with the book or just wait a month for the movie. The legend of Louis Zamperini lives on, I hope in each of us.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration November 10, 2014

THE moment

Phot via:Jwagler.com — Photo via: Jwagler.com

Yesterday, was the 12th anniversary of my moment. I know you all know what it is and that I am sometimes a broken record about it, but what really fascinates me is not my own moment, but rather, everyone else’s moment. A few weeks back I wrote a post, “Simply No Words” about a friend’s tragic loss that brought my moment tumbling back as if I was reliving my own.

Dr. Phil calls them the ” 5 defining moments of your life” Oprah likes to call them “Ahaa moments” and for me I don’t really care what they are called. What I care is how those moments are used. How these moments, events in time somehow shape and mold you like soft clay.

For some, these moments are tragic, for others they are the moment of sobriety, a moment of forgiveness, a moment of loss, grief or illness but more than anything a moment of realization. After speaking with hundreds of non-profit founders, I can tell you that each one I have interviewed, can tell you their moment. That split second in time that forever altered the course of their life.

I truly believe that we all have them, some moments are bigger than others. Do we see them (warning: they are often hard to miss) But more importantly, is what did you learn from that moment? How did you use it to make another’s life better? The extraordinary people I call my heroes (aka non-profit founders) are just like you and me. What makes them so unique is their ability to take that split second in time and turn in into a lifetime of good.

Whatever you call that, defining or ahaa, these moments become gifts in defining our purpose.

Charity Matters.

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What Matters? November 7, 2014

The Last Pass

For as long as I can remember I wanted to be the mother of boys, perhaps, it was growing up in a house full of sisters. Being the mother of three sons, I got what I wished for and have never looked back. There are many gifts that come with sons, but one that I had not really processed until it was it was too late, was the gift of football. Tonight is the last time we will sit in the stands and watch our son play the sport he loves. Tonight will be the last pass.

When our second son was born, we were not thinking about football but his first word, “ball” should have been a warning sign that he had bigger plans. By age four he was on a flag football team and he dragged us along, as his love affair with the sport began. We were sure like most first loves, it would burn bright and quick, but we were very wrong.

Before we knew it, years had passed, thousands of hours logged at games, piles of laundry done, multiple stinky car rides home, more muddy cleats, hundreds of late nights doing homework had turned into high school football. It was four years ago, when I had the epiphany about the sport. I saw the love, the passion, and the discipline of what 12 hour days did for a boy. It made them committed, passionate, strong…it made them the best of themselves.

For the first time I saw the true brotherhood between these boys, who battle together day in and day out for their school and one another. I saw them hold each other up through good times and bad. The bonds, the memories, the life long friendships made between players and between parents….I saw the gift.

Tonight we will gather for one last time to watch our sons do what they love and every moment will be a gift, even the last pass.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes November 5, 2014

Charity Matters Quotes: November

“The Month of November makes me feel that life is passing more quickly. In an effort to try and slow it down, I try to fill the hours more meaningfully.”

Henry Rollins

Fall, do you feel it?

The leaves, the crunch, the crispness in the air that only comes but once a year. It is a time to slow down, take a deep breath before the whirlwind that is December descends upon us.

Time to take a long walk, throw a football, make some soup and most importantly enjoy all of the beauty that surrounds us for such a short amount of time. Fill your hours with meaning.

That is the beauty of November.

Enjoy.

Charity Matters.

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Cancer November 3, 2014

To live like you are dying

What would you do if you were told you had just a few months to live? I’m not sure any of us really know that answer. We may think we do but our lives are simply too busy to think about such morbid thoughts, until we are faced with such a moment.

We all rush through life as if it is a race, a place where someone wins and yet life isn’t about any of that. It is the moments with ones we love, the beauty all around us and in finding joy in the things that matter.

That is the choice that Brittany Maynard made when she was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. She chose to live and to choose the day of her death as well. Her story and her message is as much about life as it is about death.

There isn’t much to say that hasn’t been said right here but when you see something like this story, it causes you to pause, to cry and to shift. With treatment, the disease’s median survival time is around 14 months, meaning that half of those live for longer than 14, and half live for less. Brittany was given six months. Doctors explained that her death would be slow and painful as her tumor grew — a worsening progression of headaches, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and seizures. Brittany wanted to use this a starting point for a conversation, she did that with The BrittanyFund.org

As she said, “Seize the day, the world is a beautiful place, travel has been my greatest teacher, my close friends and folks are the greatest givers. I even have a ring of support around my bed as I type … Goodbye world. Spread good energy. Pay it forward!”

Brittany chose to live her life on her terms, to use her experience to help others understand and to live like she was dying. Godspeed Brittany.

Charity Matters.

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Holidays and Holiday Giving October 31, 2014

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is a mystery to me. Don’t get me wrong, I love all holidays, especially ones that are centered around candy. I think you either are someone who loves costumes, dressing up, being someone else for a day or a few hours….or you’re not.

For me, I love seeing the kids, the happy faces, the tradition and the pumpkins. I love giving away candy and eating it. Whether you are mad for Halloween or your more like me,….I hope yours is spectacular!

Wishing you all a very Happy Halloween!

Charity Matters.

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Childrens' Causes October 29, 2014

Joe Torre

I thought since this week is the World Series, it would be a great time to look at some of the wonderful work that has come out of baseball. Believe it or not, baseball is not just about the Royals and the Giants! There are so many baseball players that continue to use their position to bring attention to causes they care about.

One in particular has created a foundation to do just that, and his name is Joe Torre. A Hall of Fame manager and now MLB’s vice president of baseball operations, Joe grew with a father, who physically abused his mother. In 2002, Joe started his Safe at Home Foundation in the hopes of “educating to end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives.” Joe was determined to help other children avoid this same fate.

At least three million children are affected by parental violence each year. Margaret’s Place was founded by the Joe Torre Foundation to counteract that statistic. It is an after-school program that functions as a safe-haven for children who suffer from a troubled home life. It welcomes children who are affected or have witnessed violence, trauma, or abuse.

Students learn that they are loveable and form bonds with one another and their community. They are taught to be leaders and to believe that they can and will make a difference. Joe founded ,Margaret’s Place, in honor of his mother to give a voice to students who do not believe they have a say. In addition to empowering children, Margaret’s Place brings hope and light to students in order to replace the dark face of violence.

As October comes to an end it, is important to note that it is also Domestic Violence awareness month. Joe Torre has used his position bring light and hope to thousands of children. That is what I call a true home run!

Charity Matters.

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What Matters? October 27, 2014

Tradition

There is something to be said about traditions, rituals and tried and true events that anchor your life. Think back to one of the traditions in your life…you know exactly what it is, don’t you? That one event that happened every year that you looked forward too and that no matter what was happening, you somehow attended.

I grew up with a Mid-Western mother who loved and created many a tradition for us growing up and I have started a few of my own. Last night, we celebrated our annual pumpkin carving party. It’s not a huge crowd and we have had most of the same families the sunday before Halloween for well over 15 years. We have the same menu, off the same dishes and do the same thing and while it is nothing special….it is special, simply in the fact, that it is tradition.

Now that we all have children in college, and some of them are making the trip home for pumpkin carving, I realize how this simple tradition has become an anchor. Our lives are so full and the days so fast, that we can barely process what has happened in a 24 hour period. I am blessed by traditions given to me and by the ones I have given to others.

Anytime you give of yourselves to make another’s life better, it is a gift. Last night my gift was not service. My gift to those I love was the gift of tradition.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration October 22, 2014

Gotta Have Sole

I have the privilege of working with amazing high school students all the time. The story I am about to share with you really hit a chord with me. This summer at the leadership camp I organize, a young girl arrived with shoes that were literally falling apart. We could tell she was embarrassed by her shoes but the reality was she couldn’t run and play games with the sole flapping around. So we used a little shoe goo, some fun colorful duct tape and made her smile and love her overhauled shoes. We saw first hand how much she wanted to fit in and the power of a simple pair of shoes.

An amazing young man, named Nicholas Lowinger, had the same realization as a very young boy visiting a homeless shelter. Nicolas saw first hand children who missed school because they shared shoes with their siblings and it wasn’t their day to wear them, so they couldn’t go to school. So Nicholas began donating shoes and clothing to the shelter but he knew these children needed new shoes that fit correctly.

A few years later, in 2010, when Nicholas had his Bar Mitzvah he used the opportunity to begin the Gotta Have Sole Foundation to donate new footwear to homeless children. Nicholas said, “My goal is to reach as many children living in homeless shelters in the US as I can. It has always been my hope that the children will feel more confident about themselves because they have new shoes to call their own and that they will have the same opportunities afforded to them as their peers.”

Today, four years later Nicholas has donated new footwear to over 10,000 children in homeless shelters in 35 states throughout the United States. Rather than rest on his achievements Nicholas keeps expanding his program. He recently established SOLEdiers to assist disabled and needy veterans and their families, in honor of his WWII Veteran grandfather. This program provides veterans with gift cards to footwear stores so they can select the shoes they need, for their children.

Nicholas Lowinger is truly inspirational. While his peers are out running around in their new sneakers, he continues to expand his mission of providing new shoes to as many homeless children as possible. This inspiring young man elevates the meaning of Gotta Have Sole.

Charity Matters.

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