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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.

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Charity Matters Quotes August 2, 2013

Charity Matters Quotes

“Find what brings you joy and go there.”

Jan Phillips

With the chaos of remodeling it was time to go in search of a little joy, so I have been hiding out in my happy place….the lake. I hope this weekend you find whatever that place is for you and if you don’t, than I hope you go in search of what that is and enjoy!

Happy Friday!

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Charity Matters Inspiration April 5, 2013

Anne Frank

I am sometimes haunted by certain things that simply stay with me. Reading about Anne Frank’s tree the other day did just that, haunted me. Perhaps, haunted is too strong of a word but stayed with me, nonetheless.

So, as a result I found myself going back to some of the amazing, beautiful and yes, haunting writings of Anne Frank. For such a young girl, she was wise beyond her years. I came across this and thought I would leave you with this thought for your weekend.

“It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.
It’s utterly impossible for me to build my life on a foundation of chaos, suffering and death. I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness, I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too, I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more”

– July 15, 1944

I hope this weekend gives you cause to look up at the sky and feel that everything will change for the better. I know I will.

Charity Matters.

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Charity Matters Inspiration April 3, 2013

Tree of hope

I read something today that moved me to tears, although anything involving the Holocaust and Anne Frank usually does. The story that I read told about the Chestnut tree which was in front of Anne Frank’s Amsterdam Annex, during her two years of hiding from the Nazis. This beloved tree which was one of Anne Frank’s few comforts, died in August of 2010.

However, the tree will live on just as Anne Frank does. Seeds from the tree have now turned into saplings and the Anne Frank Center USA, has chosen the recipients of these saplings from a pool of applicants. These saplings will find new homes in a park in lower Manhattan honoring the victims of September 11th, as well as Little Rock’s Central High School, (a landmark for our country’s desegregation battle) and various Holocaust centers across the country.

In 1977, Anne Frank’s father, Otto Frank, founded the non-profit Anne Frank Center USA as a partner to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. The center’s mission is to use the spirit of Anne Frank as a unique tool to advance her legacy. The goal is to educate young people and communities in the U.S. and Canada about the dangers of intolerance, anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination, and to inspire the next generation to build a world based on equal rights and mutual respect.

I think both Anne and her father would be thrilled that her beloved tree’s legacy will continue just as theirs has. Anne said it best in her diary when she said, “The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere they can be alone, alone with the sky, nature and God. For then and only then can you feel that everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature’s beauty and simplicity. As long as this exists, and that should be forever, I know that there will be solace for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances. I firmly believe that nature can bring comfort to all who suffer.”

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Charity Matters Inspiration January 9, 2013

Brotherhood

What is the measure of a life well lived? Is it how many lives you touched or impacted? Is it the number of people who come to your funeral or the number of people you leave behind that are lost without you? Is is what you have or what you give?

Last week I attended a memorial service for an amazing man named Victor McClinton. A man whose life was measured by the incredible impact he left on our community. Victor McClinton was a local hero in Pasadena and was tragically shot on Christmas Day. He was 49 and a leaves behind a wife and two teenage sons.

What made Victor a hero? What he gave, his commitment to his community and the underserved kids in it.

I know this because he directly impacted my family, teaching my son football, a passion that continues to be a driving force in his life today. Victor brought our city together regardless of address and taught our children as early as age 3 that we are one community regardless of circumstances.

He grew up without a father and attended Verbum Dei High School in Watts. It was there, that Victor started coaching as a Senior in high school and was hooked from that moment on. Twelve years ago he brought the Brotherhood Crusade program to Pasadena creating a youth sports league whose mission was to provide the children of the community with a quality youth sports program. His philosophy was everyone plays, everyone wins.

Victor had a full-time job, Brotherhood was what he did on the side. Every weekend, every night after his own long day he was there, waiting for a single mom to get off work to pick up her child from practice. He never stopped giving.

Victor’s life was a gift to all who knew him. I think the legacy he leaves is “everyone plays, everyone wins.” We were all winners for knowing Victor. The measure of a life well lived is the impact that you make while you are here, the lives you touch and what you give. Thank you Victor for reminding us all.

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