What Matters? Archives - Page 24 of 27

What Matters? December 31, 2014

New Years Eve

It seems that there are two types of people, those that love New Year’s Eve and those that don’t. It is one of those holidays that comes with expectations and the inevitable question from all, “What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?” Once upon a time, that question came with the need to find THE best plans…..perhaps the pressure had something to do with growing up in Pasadena, a West Coast epicenter of New Years with the Rose Parade, Rose Bowl Game and all the parties that go with it.

Don’t get me wrong, we will still be going to parties, walking the parade route at midnight to see the floats come out and celebrating with friends. Yet, something has changed….New Year’s Eve conjures up different feelings. There is no need for plan approval, to please or to attend THE party…whatever or wherever that may be.

New Year’s Eve is a time to say goodbye to last year, put it behind, celebrate all that was good and look ahead. More importantly, New Year begins the process of gratitude and reflection. What did we do last year that made someone else’s life better? What did we do that made our own life better? And, what are we going to do in the New Year? These are the questions that make New Year’s Eve a worthy holiday…..

So, rather than asking what are you doing for New Year’s Eve, perhaps the question we should all be asking is what are you doing?

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

What Matters? December 10, 2014

The Last Noel

Last night was my last Christmas pageant. I’m not sure how this happened? It seems that from the moment we utter our first words, we are dressed up and put in front of crowds to sing holiday songs. Before we know it, we are the parents and are at our own children’s’ performances, waving, standing up, trying to get the picture.

Then in a flash, just like all those that were not supposed to go off tonight, it is over. Done. Those little voices become big, deep and squeaky. All the drama that went into getting the family looking festive for the pageant, (when in reality, festive is not really how anyone is feeling) is miraculously gone…again in that flash that wasn’t supposed to go off.

As we sat surrounded by parents of toddlers, it seemed almost impossible remembering that we were once those people ….. You know the ones with a screaming baby and a toddler climbing all over everyone? Yet, as I looked back at the young faces (parents and children) I felt a bit like I was looking in a mirror. I was that mother, who was so worried about upsetting everyone around her, rather than worrying about her child.

What would I tell my young self if I met her today? I would tell her to relax, it is all going to be ok. I would tell her that your children will not walk down the aisle sucking their thumbs, clean cloths really are not that important, and being in the moment when your child waves at you from the stage or sings at the top of their lungs with glee is what really matters.

More than anything I would say, it all goes by in a flash….. so enjoy every crazy precious moment.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Quotes December 5, 2014

Charity Matters Quotes: Giving

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

St. Francis of Assisi

Its Friday and the Christmas season is here! This weekend many of us will get our trees, begin to pull out the boxes of decorations, order our holiday cards or start some Christmas shopping. All of these are acts of giving.

We decorate to give our families and neighbors a sense of our holiday joy, those Christmas lights are for them. The cards that we agonized over and spend late nights addressing are gifts we are sending to those that we love.

The shopping, is no different. We do this because it is more fun to give than to receive.

This holiday season think about the act of giving as you complete each one of these tasks. My guess is that rather than feeling like a chore, it will bring you joy in knowing that you have made someone else’s day, view or holiday a little bit brighter because you gave.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Quotes November 28, 2014

Black Friday

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

William Arthur Ward

Today is “Black Friday,” a day when we wake up full, stuffed and ready to charge the malls or just plain charge. Yesterday, we sat with our families watching football, laughing, making and eating a meal together and in a flash its gone.

As we enter into the holiday season, lets remember the moments and the people who bring us joy. Although yesterday seems so long ago, let us remember the best gift we can give ourselves and others is gratitude. That is the gift to focus on this holiday season.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Quotes November 26, 2014

Thanksgiving Gratitude

“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

Albert Schweitzer

Tomorrow is the day, sadly the one day for many of us, that we take time to be thankful. This year, this day and this moment I am grateful for many things, my guess is for many of the same things you are; health, family, friends and for those people in my life who have guided me to where I am right now and there are many.

When you are not sure how to begin the process of gratitude, think for a moment of where you are at this moment in time and in your life. How many hands have guided you to this place? Today, I am grateful to each person who has lighted my path and for all of those who have shown me the way.

I am grateful to each of you who continue to inspire, teach and motivate me on this journey. To each and all of you, I wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

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.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

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.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

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.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

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.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

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.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

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.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

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.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Matters Quotes September 26, 2014

Giving to yourself

“Giving yourself some loving attention is not selfish. It is sensible. If you feel loved and cherished–even if it is only by yourself–then you will have more love to give to others, too.”

Penelope Quest

This week I wanted to circle back to where we began. Talking about giving back to ourselves and making sure that we are remembering to put the mask on our selves first and then our “passengers” second.

As we get ready for another fun fall weekend, remember to take some time for yourself. Just you!

I know you can do it

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your self!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading

Charity Profile September 24, 2014

Caring for the Caregiver: CAN

The other day, I mentioned my friend, who has an adult child that is ill. This recent change of events has put her in a role that millions of us find ourselves in each year, becoming a caregiver. Whether it is an aging parent, a sick family member and or everything in between. The question becomes, who cares for the caregiver?

This was a question asked by two friends, Suzanne Mintz and Cindy Fowler, over twenty years ago. The two were discussing their similar roles with Suzanne caring for her husband with MS and Cindy caring for a mother with Parkinson’s. Their conversation led to the realization that there must be others in the same situation. They were right, it turns out that there were 65 million caregivers in this country.

The two made it their mission to provide support to others who may not know how to reach out for help and who did not even know the phrase “family caregiver.” The result was their founding the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) in 1993. “Our original vision was to get information and resources into people’s hands and to let them know they weren’t alone,” according to Fowler. NCFA focused on providing a voice for caregivers that would enable them to speak up and get the help they need.

As Suzanne Mintz recalled: “We wondered why no one seemed to be focused on the fact that helping a loved one with a deteriorating illness had a very real impact on not only the person with the illness, but also on those of us who were primarily responsible for helping them.”

For the celebration of the National Family Caregivers Association 20th anniversary, they renamed their non-profit to the Caregiver Action Network or CAN. These two women took their challenges and turned them into an awareness, a non-profit and a movement to inform each of us that family caregiving is a lifespan issue, not one restricted to the aging community.

They are an inspiration and their newly named organization CAN, simply says it all.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2014 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Keep Reading