Charity Matters Inspiration Archives - Page 31 of 37

Charity Matters Inspiration January 19, 2015

Charity Matters Quotes:MLK

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

Martin Luther King

Today is Martin Luther King Day, a holiday and more importantly a day that is recognized as a national day of service. MLK day is often referred to as a “Day On” rather than a day off.

I think the hardest thing to do in having a “Day On” is discovering where to begin.

What should I do? What can I do with my children or family?

Here are a few first steps….

doonething.org/actnow
handsonnetwork.org
volunteermatch.org
serviceforpeace.org
nationalservice.gov
servenet.org
idealist.org

Sometimes it simply takes a little faith to know that even the smallest step forward makes a difference.

As Dr. King said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Enjoy your Day On and know that every step you take big or small makes a difference.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration January 5, 2015

Because I’m Happy

I have a dear friend who is also a yoga instructor/yogi and she recently shared this with all of her clients. I was so taken by the simplicity and brilliance of this advice that I felt compelled to share. These are the thoughts that I am beginning my New Year with and I hope you feel inspired to do the same.

Do more of the things

that make you happy.

Make a list of 10

of your greatest passions,

10 activities that fill your heart

with joy and remind you

of how good life can be.

And then, over the coming

10 weeks, inject one

of those pursuits into

your weekly schedule.

Powerful thought:

the things that get scheduled

are the things that get done.

Until you schedule something,

it’s only a concept –

and

extraordinary people

don’t build remarkable lives

on concepts. They build

their greatness on action.

When you do things

that lift your spirit

and send you soaring,

you reconnect with

a state of happiness.

– Robin Sharma

I have made my list and now need to begin to calendar the activities…a perfect beginning to a new year…..whats yours?

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration January 2, 2015

Happy New Years

“Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.”

Michael Josephson

Very rarely do I look back, it is simply not my style…I am a move ahead kind of person. However, this time of year I like to look back at my past posts and see what resolutions I made to you, myself and how I stacked up. I have to say, this is the one time that a blog is a blessing and a curse.

The blessing is that I am held accountable to each of you in a very public way and the curse is I am held accountable in a very public way. This year as I looked back and read last years posts I was struck at how spot on it was and remains. So I am sharing the highlights of it here:

Looking back for me, is more than checking items off my list, but rather a time to ask myself the real questions:

Was I present and in the moment with my children and family?
Was I a good spouse, daughter, friend?
Did I use my gifts and skills to help others?

These are the questions that define me, my life, and these are the items that matter, to me. So while I love making list, setting goals and proudly checking some items off the list…….the reality is that if I don’t ask the real questions to myself regularly, than nothing on list really matters.

So, as I bound into 2015 with excitement, I cherish these last few months with my middle son home and dream of travel and home renovation projects to accomplish….I am mindful that a resolution is simply something to strive for. Being the best person you can be, for yourself and the ones you love is truly the goal.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration December 15, 2014

It is better to give….

You have heard me time and again talk about cause marketing, you know, using goodness to promote your brand. If there is one company that has done this so right and brings tears to my eyes each year it is this one…..

Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you are selling and just as the video says,” It is simply better to give than to receive.”

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 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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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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Charity Matters Inspiration October 13, 2014

This I Believe

As I mentioned on friday, I spent the later part of last week at TCU, on a panel, discussing the topic, “How can you better prepare students for lives of meaning?” A question and topic that inspired many amazing discussions about service, faith, and leadership. One segment that stood out as a highlight of the trip, was a piece entitled “This I believe.”

At TCU, they have asked their students to begin their first college essays as freshman writing 500 words on the topic “This I believe.” The goal is to challenge students to think about their values and their core beliefs. There is no right or wrong answer, it is simply your story. The hope is that by articulating your beliefs, that when faced with a difficult life decision, students will know the answer because they understand what it is that guides them. The stories that we heard were inspiring, amazing, full of hope, adversity and perseverance. I wish I could share them all with you here. What I can share is what I learned about This I Believe.

Believe it or not, This I Believe, Inc., is a non-profit! In March 2003, National Public Radio Executive Producer, Dan Geldman came across the original book This I Believe. Dan became intrigued with the history of the 1950s radio program based on the same name, that was hosted by Edward R. Murrow. The original radio show featured compelling essays from cab drivers, secretaries, corporate leaders as well as people such as; Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, Helen Keller, and Harry Truman. Anyone who was able to share a few minutes of the guiding principles by which they lived.

Dan and his co-producer Jay Allison decided to bring the series back to National Public Radio. In reviving This I Believe, Dan Gediman said, “The goal was not to persuade Americans to agree on the same beliefs. Rather, the hope is to encourage people to begin the much more difficult task of developing respect for beliefs different from their own.”

Dan, Jay and their team at NPR brought back the topic, the radio series and then a few best-selling books. The proceeds from all of those went into forming the non-profit This I Believe. Org, which was founded in 2004, to engage youth and adults from all walks of life in writing, sharing, and discussing brief essays about the core values that guide their daily lives.

Today, almost a decade later This I Believe Essays have spread across the globe through universities’ curriculum, in a variety of publications, numerous local public radio stations, newspapers, and magazines all challenging us to ask the simple question. What is it that you believe?

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration September 10, 2014

September 11th-Patriots Day

Photo by Scott Lewis 917-386-4555 Library Tag 09112008 National/Foreign

Tomorrow markes the 13th anniversary of the fateful day that changed the face of our nation forever, September 11th, now renamed Patriots Day. Each year I wonder will we remember? Should we remember? It is so painful, even more than a decade later we all feel the pain of reminders when we watch the news and see the images. I debated, is it time to stop reflecting on this fateful day?

After some thought, my answer is no. We promised never to forget. We promised to hold those families in our hearts and to come together as a nation. So, if ripping off the band-aid yet another year reminds us of our promise, then that is what needs to be done.

So tonight, tomorrow and every day after, hug your children, tell the people in your life that you love them. Just as the song says, “I believe love will find a way.” Make Pariots Day stand for something, love.

We will never forget.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration August 20, 2014

Where does a movement begin? The Ice Bucket Challenge

How do trends start? What was the impetus to all of us dumping buckets of ice water on our heads? Who was the inspiration behind this chilly trend?

The answer is simple. His name is Pete Frates and this is his story.

So the next time you are looking at Facebook and/or pouring a bucket of ice on your head, remember why you are doing and for who. You are doing it for Pete Frates and everyone else who has ALS. The trend that is changing the face of ALS belongs to one face only and that is of Pete Frates…. an inspiration to us all.

Charity Matters.

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Cancer August 13, 2014

TCU Frogs for the Cure

I never ceased to be amazed by the way that the right people always enter my life at just the right time. As you all know, this week I have been prepping for my first-born to leave the nest and head off to Texas and TCU. In all the craziness I received a phone call from a friend who wanted to introduce me to an incredible woman named Ann Louden, who helped start and drive a non-profit at TCU.

The organization is called TCU Frogs for the Cure and is dedicated to supporting those with breast cancer and helping to find a cure. Ann, a breast cancer survivor, called to chat about her organization’s new video that is being filmed this weekend at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl. She said the organization began in 2005 when TCU athletics partnered with the Susan G. Komen® Greater Fort Worth to sponsor a first-ever pink out halftime presentation at a university….which has now become a national trend.

A few years later they created a music video that combined inspirational music and hundreds of survivors and supporters. Each year since, the music video has gotten more elaborate and included more students, survivors and community leaders. This year, the video is being filmed in 5 cities, including my own hometown Pasadena, this Saturday August 16th from 1-5pm.

So grab your friends and register here to be a part of this epic celebrity filled music video to inspire others to find a cure. It is events like this, started at TCU, that have influenced and inspired thousands to adopt a cause and come together to make a difference.

I know I’m inspired and so grateful my son is heading to TCU. Whether pink or purple is your color, it doesn’t really matter but what does, is that you care to give of yourself to help another.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration August 6, 2014

Camp with a Cause

Its summer and summer means time for camp. Camp is a time for children to play, make friends and have new experiences. However, when a child is suffering from a serious illness camp takes on an even bigger purpose. Camp becomes a place to be a kid with others who are facing the same challenges. Camp becomes a place of hope and healing. That is exactly why Camp Soaring Eagle was created. This special place provides the healing power of laughter to thousands of seriously ill children by giving them the opportunity to go to a medically supervised camp at no cost to the campers and their families. The camp was founded by entrepreneur Max F. James.

Max began his life as a Tennessee farm boy where his father was a share cropper. A life of hard work and dedication lead him to the Air Force Academy, Vietnam and then Stanford Business School, where he received his MBA. Max said in an interview recently, “My two children and my wife, Linda, helped me build the business, so we set up a family foundation, wanting to start giving back to the community. Over the years we wrote a lot of little checks, but then my son sent me to Orlando, Fl, to Camp Boggy Creek, one of Paul Newman’s Hole In the Wall camps, where seriously ill kids can attend a medically supervised camping program. We decided we could also do something like that. ”

Since 2009, Camp Soaring Eagle has sent hundreds of seriously ill children to camp and continues to keep growing and expanding. Providing campers and families a happy slice of summer fun and memories to last a lifetime. As Max F. James said, “I have been tremendously blessed and strongly believe that when one gives it comes back tenfold.”

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration August 4, 2014

The language of kindness is universal

Seeing random acts of kindness fills our hearts and brings us joy. This video simply doesn’t need words because it speaks the universal language of kindness.

There is no better way to begin a week than with a little smile and some kindness.

Charity Matters.

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