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Charity Matters Inspiration February 11, 2016

Kind

Being married to an entrepreneur, I am always fascinated by what motivates people to start a business, even a non-profit. When someone comes along who creates a great product and business combined with doing good, well in my book, that is about as good as it gets. The man who has done just that, is Daniel Lubetzky, the founder of Kind Snacks.

Daniel Lubetzky is the son of a holocaust survivor, who grew up in Mexico City before moving to the United States with his family. After graduating from Stanford, he became fascinated with finding a way to resolve the Israel-Palenstine conflict through business. He created an international movement called OneVoice and then a food company called Peaceworks that promotes economic cooperation in the Middle East.

It was in 2004, when Daniel was unhappy with the unhealthy snack choices Americans had, as well as the rise of obesity, that he developed the Kind Bar. His concept was that we can be “kind to our bodies and to the world.” Last week he took his kindness to a new level, by creating a new corporate foundation that will give $1 million in cash prizes to individuals who are making a difference in their communities by kindness.

The Kind Foundation will accept nominations through March 31st and five kind individuals will win $100,000 and one grand winner will win $500,000. The company is known for its generous support to a host of non-profits that are voted on through the companies web-site each month.

When asked about his motivation for giving, in a recent interview in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Daniel cited his father’s experiences during the holocaust.”I don’t see it as philanthropy so much as a duty,” he said.

Taking Kindness to a whole new level.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration January 25, 2016

What to do when the dream is a reality

We all dream. Sometimes we don’t remember them, sometimes we wake up feeling like we are falling and sometimes we just dream big. But it is those moments when we are awake and realize that our dream is real and really happening…well there just are not words to describe.

That is exactly what happened last friday at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. The dream became real, not only for me, but for thousands of patients and families that will now have a place to go, to think, to pray, to meditate or just to be. Over twelve years ago we set out to build a non-profit to provide chaplains of ALL faiths 24 hours a day 7 days a week at CHLA, and we did it!

Then once the hospital had chaplains, we realized they didn’t have a chapel that could accommodate more than one person at a time. So a journey began to create a beautiful space where people of all faiths or none at all, could come and be. Patients, families, doctors, nurses, a place for all.

Last Friday morning, as I watched civic and religious leaders from all over Los Angeles, open and bless the new InterFaith Center at Childrens Hospital, I knew the dream was real. It took a village and years to make it happen, but it did. Standing there in that moment, my heart filled with pride in being a tiny part of this incredible legacy of compassion.

I was reminded that dreams do come true, especially when you dream big.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration January 8, 2016

The best resolutions yet

A dear friend of mine, who is a yoga instructor, as well as a wise and soulful being, recently shared these and I thought they were so inspiring I wanted to do the same. It simply isn’t New Years without great resolutions! So here a few for thought….

1.  Begin. – Remember the feeling you get from taking the first step is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around thinking about it. So get up and get moving. Take the first step this year – just one small step forward. The greatest miracle of your success will not be that you finished, it will be that you had the courage to begin.

2.  Work hard on the essential. – Don’t be busy, be productive. Don’t track your time, track your results. Put first things first and get them done. And don’t expect your goal to be easy; it’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard you would already have it completed, and so would everyone else. The hard part is what makes it worthwhile. In life there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

3.  Stay true to your path. – A successful life is one that is lived through understanding and pursuing one’s own path, not chasing after the dreams of others. You have to do what’s right for you; no one else walks in your shoes. Keep moving forward, beyond the negative rhetoric echoing from the peanut gallery. Do what you have to do, for you. Live a life you are proud of. And the moment you realize you’re not, find the strength to start over again on a new path.

4.  Nurture your self-confidence. – You have everything you need within you to become the best possible version of YOU. Believe that you CAN. Believe that you’re capable of pushing harder and farther than you have before. Believe that you’re young enough, old enough, smart enough and strong enough to achieve your goals. Don’t let false beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself. And certainly don’t get sidetracked by the people around you who are not on track.

5.  Be sincerely kind to those around you. – Kindness in words creates positivity. Kindness in thinking creates confidence. Kindness in giving creates love. Through kindness you have the ability to make a profound difference in every life you touch, including your own. When you guide someone who is lost and confused, when you hold someone who is sad and grieving, when you hug someone who has lost all their hope, you too will feel yourself healing and growing stronger. Remember, the vast majority of positive changes come about in someone’s life simply because one other person cares for them, believes in them, and motivates them. So be that other person when you can.

6.  Accept the things you can’t change. – What you resist, persists. If you are resisting something, you are feeding it. Any energy you actively fight, you are feeding. If you are using negative energy to push something away, you are inviting it to stay. Choose to accept what is, be positive and proactive, let go of the need to control every tiny detail, and embrace peace in the process.

7.  Set a good example. – It’s not about what you say; it’s about how you live your life every day. The people who look up to you are watching you all the time. These people are like sponges – what they see or feel you do, they will imitate. So remember that your words mean a lot less than what you’re doing. Choose to believe that you can and will change lives with what you do each day, and you will. Let your actions speak for themselves.

– Angel Chernoff, Mark and Angel Hack Life

8. Charity Matters ( couldn’t resist)

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Charity Matters Inspiration December 17, 2015

The other gift

I have a confession to make. For the first time in my life, I am not in the Christmas spirit. I keep waiting and hoping and thinking that it’s coming, but it has yet to appear. The last few months have not been easy and moving two days after Christmas certainly isn’t making it easier to feel the joy.

We are living in an empty house with boxes, and a Christmas tree but the usual trappings of the holidays are simply too much with the move. So, I find myself in a pickle for the first time…looking for Christmas cheer.

Just when I was having a low moment, I came across this. A magic cure for turning any frown upside down. So indulge and take a moment to see what happens when children have to choose between a gift for themselves or for their family.

Even these children know just how great it feels to give.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration November 25, 2015

The action of Thanksgiving

“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.”

W.J. Cameron

Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow and there is much to be done, I looked back to my past post for inspiration and came across this. While not a fan of reposting, this is more than worth take two and will give you the spirit of gratitude as you begin to prepare for the holiday.

There are so many amazing causes that we all support and get involved with, especially as we are feeling thankful. With 1.9 million non-profits in this country it is rare that Charity Matters ventures abroad, with so much to be done here. However, as we begin this week of Thanksgiving, I think this story is a beautiful way to begin our own personal journey of gratitude.

Narayanan Krishnan is a hero and I am in awe of his compassion, selflessness and grateful for his amazing inspiration. He is a living reminder that Thanksgiving is a word of action.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration November 2, 2015

Beauty in the eye of the beholder

I have had friends tell me over the years that I often see things that they do not. Perhaps, my filters are adjusted a certain way. Sometimes, I wonder am I the only one who is watching this? We all live in a busy world and so often, we are too busy to see the beauty right in front of us.

Last week, I was in a huge hurry trying to make a grant deadline and rushing to Kinkos to pick up my order. Traffic prevented me from turning into the Kinkos driveway, so I was parked just waiting and watching and what I saw brought me to tears.

Standing almost in front of me was an elderly homeless women, with no shoes, white hair and her face was literally black with grime and dirt. She was not begging but simply standing there. Her physical condition took my breath away. As I waited in traffic wondering what to do, I saw an elderly gentleman in his mid-seventies hop out of his car, leaving it running in the parking lot and ever so kindly, sweetly and thoughtfully approach the woman. He bowed his head, in respect of greeting her, and handed her what appeared to be everything he had in his wallet.

Tears began pouring from my eyes, at the most beautiful sight of her surprise and her smile. I looked at the elderly man as the tears streamed down my face and he gave a small nod and quickly got into his running car and drove off. The honking horns jarred me into reality of what I had just witnessed. The respect, compassion, grace, dignity and the sheer beauty of the moment, was one I will never forget.

The stress of the day gone, replaced with hope, compassion and belief that the world is full of goodness. We just simply have to look for it.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration October 28, 2015

CNN Heroes

Last week CNN announced their CNN Heroes for 2015. A tradition that began in 2007 finding extra-ordinary people, who use their gifts to make other’s lives better. Each year ten amazing people are nominated, all who are deserving non-profit heroes.

So now its time to vote, the video ballot is below. Take a peek at these amazing people.

To cast your vote go to CNN Heroes. There are too many inspiring stories to share here, but treat yourself to see how remarkable it is, when people use their gifts to make others lives better. Everyone of these nominees are winners already.

Charity Matters.

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Cancer October 21, 2015

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

photo via: WestFWlifestyle.com

As you know I have been thinking a lot about dreaming big and continuing on my quest living a life full of purpose. When I think about the combination of these two together, my mind immediately goes to thoughts of my amazing friend, Ann Louden. Ann is a breast cancer survivor who took her diagnosis and turned it into a purpose fueled mission. The result is her non-profit TCU Frogs for the Cure.

Ann has worked at TCU for over twenty years and over a decade ago when she heard the words, “You have cancer” she knew she needed to do something. As the ultimate connector, she engaged her Fort Worth and TCU community in finding a cure, supporting those with breast cancer and partnering to support the cross town organization Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Her organization was the first to engage college football with breast cancer and now today you can’t tun on a game in October (pro or college) without seeing pink, it all started with Ann. However that dream wasn’t big enough, she went further in creating inspiring music videos with thousands of survivors to bring everyone together in support for this cause. When the videos are downloaded from itunes, the proceeds go to fight breast cancer.

This years video will debut at the Thursday, Oct 29th at the TCU football game vs West Virginia and is aptly done to the song,”Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.“ I cannot think of a better song to describe Ann Louden and all breast cancer survivors journey to overcome and fight this disease.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration October 14, 2015

Camp Southern Ground

Last Saturday night my husband surprised me with tickets to hear the Zac Brown Band play at the Hollywood Bowl. A terrific night of music and fun that became complete for me when the musician shared his dream and vision with a new non-profit he was starting.

Zac Brown is starting a summer camp, called Camp Southern Ground. While I know this is not the time of year to be discussing camp, I loved hearing him talk about his passion for this. Maybe part of that is because as the Executive Director of a summer leadership camp I understand how important and life changing camp is for so many.

I think more than that, was that this popular musician, who used to be a camp counselor, wanted to use his gifts to help others. Camp Southern Ground‘s mission is to help children to overcome academic, social and emotional disabilities to help them reach their full potential.

When thinking about this weeks theme of finding your purpose, I thought sharing Zac Brown’s discovery of his was worth sharing. We all have a purpose and a gift (or two), it is how we chose to share them with others that makes life so sweet.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration October 7, 2015

Dream it

“If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”

Zig Ziglar

I love big dreams. As I mentioned last week, I am a bit of a dreamer myself. What I love almost more than dreaming is being surrounded by people who think big, have a vision and go for it.

Last week I was in Texas for meetings at TCU and had the privilege of hearing the story of a big dream about football. The dream was about becoming part of the Big 12 Conference. As I listened to the story about this dream, it was clear that in order to make the dream a reality, the vision needed to be shared and the dream needed to become everyone else’s dream too.

Then came the how to achieve it, or the breakdown of the vision and the steps towards the goal. A long path with many on the road of a shared vision and purpose. Of course, it wouldn’t be a happy ending without the realization of the dream and becoming a part of the Big 12 Conference.

Regardless of the dream, these stories refuel me in wondering what are my big dreams? And make me ask myself am I dreaming big enough? I do believe if you dream it, you can achieve it.

What are your big dreams?

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration September 28, 2015

Dreaming Big

I was raised by parents who told me I could do or be anything and somewhere along the line I began to believe them. “No” has never been a word in my vocabulary, for better or for worse. Did I mention that being stubborn is also part of the equation? The result of this is being a bit of big dreamer.

Over a decade ago, a friend reached out and asked a group of us girls for help. He was the one of two chaplains at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. He shared his vision for help, support, families having chaplains of all faiths before surgeries, end of life, celebrations and simply someone trained to listen and provide faith and hope. It was a tall order for a group of women who had never started a non-profit before but a perfect big dream.

Within a year of the launch of The Spiritual Care Guild we had chaplains 24 hours a day 7 days a week. But big dreamers don’t stop at that, they keep going because once one dream is achieved, its time to make the dream bigger. Each year the Spiritual Care Department grew as did its integral role in the hospital, with staff and patient families.

Like all good dreams, they can’t come to an end. Then five years ago, the dream expanded to having a chapel that would accommodate people of all faiths, families, patients, staff and give them a place to pray, to think, to hope and to dream. This was the biggest dream of all, especially in a hospital where real estate is reserved for medicine and all that goes with providing excellent health care to tiny patients.

However, last week that dream became a reality. I stood in the physical space, now a construction site, that will become the new Interfaith Center at CHLA. It was such an amazing moment to see what happens when people come together with a common goal, a big dream and a huge team effort. Dreams do come true and the bigger the dream the better!

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration September 23, 2015

One important non-profit leader: Pope Francis

This week marks an important visit as Pope Francis heads to the United States. While most of us see Pope Francis as the leader of the Catholic Church and some as a symbol of hope, we often forget that he is also the head of one of the largest social-service organizations and non-profits in the world. Because of that Francis for many is a symbol of charity.

The Pope is not only an advocate for the poor and the suffering but also the leader of an organization with over 68 million members in America alone, and the largest religious denomination in the United States. The Catholic Church supports and runs schools, hospitals, and hundreds of Catholic Colleges to name a few.

Last year Catholic Charities USA, which works to reduce poverty in the U.S., ranked number 7 on the Philanthropy top 400, raising more than most of the non-profits in the United States. Many are attributing the spike in giving to the enthusiasm about Pope Francis. His message of love, compassion and charity can often be found on his twitter feed. Last January 24th he said, “Practicing charity is the best way to evangelize.”

This week the United States welcomes Pope Francis and his message of hope to all.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration September 17, 2015

All you need is love….

“I live in a small town where things rarely change.” This is the opening line from Steve Martin’s movie, Father of the Bride that references the tiny suburb I live in outside of LA. However, today this statement isn’t as true as it once was, things they are a changing.

Our little town is infamous for having great people hail from it who changed our world. Henry Huntington, one of the first railroad barons and General George Patton, to name a few. One of the most recent, is someone you have never heard of, but in her short life she created enormous change, her name was Sophia Tam.

Sophia was a bright light who was inspired by her grandfather at the early age of 10 to help the children of Burma, who were fleeing war, poverty and enormous challenges. Sophia’s teacher Erin, learned about these children and traveled to Burma or modern-day Myanmar to see first hand. Almost immediately, Erin and Sophia began working, fundraising, advocating and donating their summers to begin to build what would become the non-profit All You Need is Love, which supports the Good Morning School.

Sophia was diagnosed with brain cancer her junior year in high school and despite treatments she was undeterred in her commitment to these children. Three weeks before Sophia died at age 18, in August 2013, she hosted a fundraiser to keep this school open. This weekend her family will do the same once again and continue to spread her message of All you need is love charity.org.

Change only happens when people educate their hearts and their minds in tandem. Sophia Tam was and will continue to be a change-maker who has left her imprint on our tiny town and the world with her love, light and compassion for others.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration September 15, 2015

A Gift from the Sea

As I mentioned last week, the need to run, to escape and to take a breathe….I found myself heading towards the ocean with a gloomy mind on a brilliant sunny day. Salt, sea and sand have been a life long source of peace, happiness and comfort. I realized quickly that I wasn’t running but rather running on empty. That vicious cycle of giving until there was nothing to give.

I arrived with journals, stacks of books, and “plans to relax.” However, the ocean had bigger plans. The sound of surf that lulls you to nap, the warm water that calls you in and the miles of sand that beg to be walked upon and the pile of projects quickly became a distant thought.

One book that I brought along with me was Anne Morrow Lindenberg’s, A Gift From The Sea. As I opened the first chapter these words told me all I needed to know,”One becomes, in fact, like the element on which one lies, flattened by the sea; bare, open, empty as the beach, erased by today’s tides and of all yesterday’s scribblings.”

I came to the sea for peace, solitude and renewal but what the sea gave me was much more. It gave me the moment to look inward for strength, to find my core and to know that giving must come with purpose. Anne Lindenberg’s words were my thoughts, “Only when one is connected to ones own core is one connected to others. For me, the core, the inner spring, can be best refound through solitude.”

As I leave the beach on a gloomy cloudy day it is with a sunny attitude for all that lies ahead, for the gratitude of friends, family and the life I am blessed to have and with a renewed focus on what really matters.

Charity Matters.

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