Charity Matters Quotes Archives - Page 10 of 24

Charity Matters Quotes August 26, 2015

A man of value

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” Albert Einstein

So, this week I am back at it, launching our oldest son to his new college. I have so many things that I feel need to be said, but this quote says everything.

I have always told our sons that my purpose in life is to raise good men who make our world better. My goal was never to raise rocket scientists or billionaires but rather good men. On friday, I will bid our oldest son goodbye and give the world my greatest gifts, my sons.

There is simply no greater gift one can give.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes August 10, 2015

A mother’s sendoff

“Mother is her son’s first god; she must teach him the most important lesson of all – how to love.”

T. F. Hodge

This is it. The boxes are packed and tomorrow we leave to send our second son off to college. Many have said these past few weeks, “you have another son or you have done this before, it won’t be that hard.” Well, I am here to say that if I had a hundred children or just three, each time one leaves a piece of my heart is ripped out.

Our second son, is an amazing young man and is ready to fly. He is kind, compassionate, strong, smart, funny, sensitive and determined. He is the kind of person that walks into a room and lights it up with his smile and confidence. This is simply who he is, and has always been.

We are so proud of him and yet saying goodbye is agonizing. My brain knows that he is heading to an amazing school and that he will thrive. My heart however, is breaking. I know that this is a journey thousands of mothers are going through and a right of passage into manhood. The passage from this mother’s view is blurred, as the tears pour down my cheeks and I watch part of my heart walk ahead towards his future.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes August 3, 2015

Hot August Nights

“Summer is the time when one sheds one’s tensions with one’s clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all’s right with the world.”

Ada Louise Huxtable

Summer is going oh too quickly. We are getting ready to pack up our second son and send him off to college. So spending time with him this past weekend and seeing him full of joy and summer filled my heart.

These are the moments that life is all about. The ones to treasure, to savor and when I feel all is right with the world…..even if it’s just for that precious moment.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration July 8, 2015

Happy Birthday Dalai lama!

“The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world.”

Dalai lama

God works in mysterious ways. Months ago when we were planning our youth leadership camp at UC Irvine, we were told that we might have to share some space with a “secret VIP.” At the time we were none too pleased. What are you supposed to do when you discover that the VIP is the Dalai lama and he is celebrating his 80th birthday? Answer: Channel your inner zen, take a deep breath, pray for enlightenment, an invitation to the party and know that the camp will sort itself out.

How did the Dalai lama choose to spend his July 6th, 80th birthday? He decided to have a three-day summit and world birthday event called the “The Global Compassion Summit.” While I didn’t see party hats and favors, I did get an invitation to see his Holiness celebrate his 80th birthday (along with hundreds of others). Only the Dalai lama would use his celebration as a platform to discuss, the transformative power of creativity, youth leadership and compassion for the planet. How I loved the irony that our youth leadership camp was getting reorganized so that His Holiness could discuss youth leadership.

There was more wisdom shared during this amazing event than I have had time to process or share but I will say one of my favorite thing that His Holiness said was this, “We focus on cultivating a clever brain and not a good heart. It is only with cultivating wisdom and compassion together mixed with action that we create change.”

The Dalai lama’s birthday event will continue to create change. His Summit or party was hosted by both UC Irvine’s Center for Living Peace and Friends of the Dalai Lama, which is a non-profit organization founded to amplify the positive messages of His Holiness. The organization’s mission is to nurture kindness and compassion through action.

Never have I been so happy to be at the party, so full of joy, and inspired to share the message of compassion.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes July 3, 2015

God Bless America and Happy 4th of July!

“I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.”

Abraham Lincoln

Its hard to believe that the 4th of July is tomorrow, truly one of my favorite holidays. The 4th of July is a time of fun, family and fireworks and it simply doesn’t get better than that in my book.

So whether you are staying in town for a barbecue and a parade, heading to the lake or the beach, have a wonderful and safe 4th of July.

We are blessed to live in this great country and to be able to celebrate our freedom.

God Bless America.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes June 26, 2015

Summer is officially here!

“What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade.”

Gertrude Jekyll

It is official, summer has arrived! What magical words. The longer days, no homework, the crazy schedule fades away and somehow life just slows down to a perfect pace.

It as if we all can take a deep breath and let the fun and joy of this perfect season take over. So wherever, you may be heading this first weekend of summer, remember to enjoy the beauty of the moments and the season.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes June 19, 2015

Happy Father’s Day!

“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.”

Mark Twain

Fathers are special. It is a unique relationship that we all have with our Dads. Somehow they don’t get all the attention, even for their one day a year, because Dads are just that way. They do what they do for their families without fuss or fanfare. Yet, when they are absent their void is great and vast.

We often forget about our Dads and all they did for us. So, this weekend it is time to acknowledge these great men in our lives, past or present.

Happy Father’s Day!

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes June 17, 2015

What to contribute this summer?

“We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming. We cannot stop the spring or the fall or make them other than they are. They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse. But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives.”

Gary Zukave

As summer approaches, officially next week, it seems like another opportunity to re-think how I can contribute? Summer is a break from board meetings and much of the service I do throughout the year and sometimes a much-needed one, I must admit.

However, summer brings longer days, a little more time and an opportunity to serve. For me, this summer will be about running a summer program, teaching service to teens and planting the seeds of compassion in our youth.

As we enter into this sunny season, ask yourself what do you choose to contribute to life when the season arrives?

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes June 1, 2015

Charity Matters Quotes: June

“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.”

Maud Hart Lovelace

Today is the first day of June. The countdown to summer begins. Parents and children everywhere are marking their calendars until homework ends, no more lunches made and the joy of summer descends.

June brings chaos, joy and finally summer….a happy month, that I for one am ready to embrace.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes May 27, 2015

That indescribable feeling

“Service to a just cause rewards the worker with more real happiness and satisfaction than any other venture of life.”

Carrie Chapman Catt

I had lunch with a girlfriend last week and we were discussing our mutual addiction to that indescribable feeling you get when you give. I had just come from Operation Gratitude, an organization that sends care packages to our soldiers around the world. I had dropped off 1800 cards, on my way to lunch, written by student’s in my leadership organization, that would go in care packages for soldiers.

The feeling I had as I handed the boxes and boxes of heartfelt colored cards and notes was of pride, joy and as the quote says, “more happiness and satisfaction than any other venture of life.” As my friend and I discussed, it is that feeling that becomes something you simply want more of. The gift of service is a gift you give to yourself, even if that isn’t the intention…..it is always the result.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes May 22, 2015

Charity Matters Quotes: Just thinking

“Never be afraid to sit awhile and think.”

Lorraine Hansberry, A Raisin in the Sun

The simple gift of thinking.

Our lives are so frenetic and full that we barely have a moment to complete the most mundane tasks. However, when we stop. Just stop, take a breath, a moment and give ourselves the gift to sit and think it is amazing what can happen.

Somehow we have become afraid of silence and perhaps our own thoughts?

This weekend, give yourself a moment.

Just one.

Imagine the possibilities.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration May 13, 2015

Charity Matters Quotes: Generosity

“Generosity is not giving me that which I need that you do, but it is giving me that which you need more that I do.”

Kahlil Gibran

As many of you know, I run a non-profit organization. The nature of non-profits is that unlike traditional businesses which survive because of goods and services exchanged, non-profits survive because of others belief in a cause and mission. In essence they survive because of others generosity.

There are many challenges that come with this “business” model, such as knowing where the next dollars to fund your program and pay your employees are coming. These past few weeks, I have felt the incredible burden and stress of just that…where will the funds come to pay everyone and make this happen? In truth, it is a sickening feeling that I wish on no one.

However, just when I had to tell my board that I simply didn’t know where to go next….did I receive the gift of generosity that brought me to tears, literally. One person, simply said, “I would like to help.” Those words changed everything, including me.

Like everyone, it feels better to give than to receive. However, to be humbled by one person’s immense generosity is a gift and a lesson I am grateful for. While the non-profit business model has its challenges, I am beyond blessed to be the constant witness of human kindness, compassion and generosity in action. The human spirit’s capacity to love and give is beauty in action.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes April 27, 2015

Charity Matters Quotes: Commitment

“Commitment is an act, not a word.”

Jean-Paul Sartre

As the school year creeps closer and closer to the finish line, which is summer….I am tired. Students are tired, teachers are tired and it feels as if the countdown has begun. It is this time of year, when the sun is out, that the last thing anyone wants to do is work. This is when the word commitment kicks in.

It is easy to give up, slow down or even stop. It is a commitment to self, to cause and to purpose that propels us forward in the home stretch. As we anticipate the lazy days of summer, it is that commitment that will get us the finish line.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Quotes April 15, 2015

Tax Day

“We must care for each other more, and tax each other less.”

Bill Archer

I’m not sure about you, but April 15th is not always the happiest day at our house.

Since I try to always look on the bright side of things, all I can offer up today, for those that are grumpy is that we live in a great country, try our best to care for one another and do what we can. Mentioning the charitable deduction might not make you feel any better as you send off your returns but reminding you that you do so much for so many, just might.

As the photo says, “Wishing you best returns.”

Charity Matters.

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