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A year of FORCE

 

I spend a lot of time talking about time. How we use our time, the choices we make with our lives, and the precious resource that time truly is. So often, we don’t realize how quickly time passes until we take a moment to look back in the rearview mirror. We race through each day, checking things off the never-ending to-do list, yet we seldom pause to reflect on how we are spending our most valuable asset. Instead, time slips through our fingers like sand, and before we know it, we find ourselves asking, “Where did the time go?”

Right now, I find myself asking that exact question: “Where did the time go?” It feels like just yesterday when Cindy Witteman, the dynamic founder of FORCE Magazine, first approached me with an incredible opportunity—an opportunity that felt like a dream come true. She shared her vision for FORCE, a magazine dedicated to celebrating leadership, resilience, and the power of positive impact. As she spoke, I felt a deep sense of déjà vu because years earlier, I had written down a dream: one day, I would have a podcast, a best-selling book, and a monthly magazine column about making a difference. And here she was, offering me the chance to bring one of those dreams to life. It was a surreal, pinch-me moment.

 

So, one year ago, I began writing for FORCE while simultaneously working on my book, Change for Good. Cindy was not just a catalyst in the magazine’s creation; she was also a driving force—pun absolutely intended—behind my book. In November 2023, I had the privilege of being interviewed by Cindy on her television show, The Little Give. From the moment we connected, I knew she was someone truly extraordinary. As a nonprofit founder herself, Cindy understands the profound impact of service and philanthropy. During that interview, she suggested that I write a book and even introduced me to her publisher. One month later, in December 2023, I signed my book contract. By January 2024, I was off to the races, pouring my heart into Change for Good.

But I wasn’t the only one racing ahead. Cindy, with her unstoppable energy and passion, launched FORCE Magazine in April 2024. Her mission? To spotlight leaders, innovators, and everyday heroes who are making a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond. FORCE is more than just a publication; it’s a movement—one that bridges business, personal growth, and philanthropy, all while amplifying the voices of those committed to positive change.

For the past year, I’ve had the privilege of being a monthly contributor to this incredible platform. And now, as we celebrate FORCE Magazine’s one-year anniversary, I can’t help but marvel at how fast time has flown. In just twelve months, we have shared countless stories of service, resilience, and kindness. It all began last April with a simple yet profound question: What does it mean to be a Force for Good? From there, we explored topics that are near and dear to my heart—Voluntourism, Back to School Giving, How to Get Involved, Gratitude, Raising Philanthropic Children, Change for Good, Goals for a New Year, Putting What Matters First, and the Healing Power of Helping—just to name a few.

With so much noise in the world, it is an absolute privilege to contribute to a publication that highlights the remarkable humans working tirelessly to make our world better. In a society that often glorifies busyness over purpose, FORCEreminds us that our time is not just something to be spent, but something to be invested—in people, in causes, and in the things that truly matter.

This past year has reaffirmed for me that every day, we have a choice in how we use our time. Will we let it slip by unnoticed, or will we harness it to create something meaningful? Cindy and all of the incredible contributors at FORCEhave made a conscious decision to dedicate their time to you, the readers—to inspire, uplift, and empower.

As we celebrate this milestone, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Cindy for believing in the power of storytelling and service. And to you, dear reader—thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve read one article or all of them, your time spent engaging with these stories is not just time well spent—it’s time well invested.

So, as we look ahead to another year of FORCE, let’s challenge ourselves to use our time with intention. Let’s be forces for good. Because in the end, when we ask, “Where did the time go?”—may the answer be: “It went to something that truly mattered.”

CHARITY MATTERS.

 

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Charity Matters Inspiration

Becoming a force for Good

You may remember that in February I went to an incredible event hosted by the publisher of my upcoming book. At that event, I was thrilled to finally meet Cindy Witteman in person. Cindy is the nonprofit founder of Driving Single Parents. We had already connected in so many ways so it was a treat to be in person together. In addition to being a nonprofit founder, Cindy has already written a number of books, hosts a TV show called the Little Give and is now launching a magazine called FORCE. There is no better word to describe my new friend than a serious force.

I was incredibly flattered when Cindy asked me to write about my thoughts on “force” for her premiere issue.  Even more exciting, is the fact that Cindy has asked me to become a regular columnist for the magazine contributing monthly and having a Charity Matters column. FORCE Magazine will be available in 13 countries and sold in over 10,000 retailers, so you can imagine how excited I am! For the first issue, I was asked to write in third person which isn’t my usual voice and was actually difficult becaise I am so comfortable talking to you in first person. Here is a little of what I shared about what it means to become a FORCE for good.

In a world often marked by individual pursuits and ambitions, there exists a powerful force—the act of giving back. It’s a force that transcends personal boundaries, offering the potential to create lasting positive impacts. The ability to harness one’s own personal force for good, by serving others through involvement with nonprofits and charities, becomes a formidable tool in shaping a better world.

Within each of us resides an innate force—a unique blend of skills, resources, and passion. While this force can certainly be directed towards personal gain, its true potential lies in its capacity to contribute to the well-being of others. By recognizing and embracing this inherent power, one can become a force for good, driving positive change and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

In the United States alone, there are approximately 1.6 million nonprofit organizations, each serving as a powerful vehicle for channeling personal force towards societal betterment. These nonprofits were all founded by individuals who recognized a problem and were determined to find a solution. They are remarkable individuals dedicated to addressing various social, environmental, and humanitarian issues. Each nonprofit founder is a living example of being a force for good. By understanding the impact of nonprofits, we can strategically engage with these organizations to amplify their force for good and our own.

One poignant example of the transformative power of collective giving is Meals on Wheels. Founded by Enid Borden and supported by a volunteer army of 2 million, Meals on Wheels is the largest hunger-relief organization for senior citizens in the United States. Every day, they provide meals to over a million elderly individuals across the country. Enid Borden aptly summarizes the essence of giving back, stating, “The biggest problem we have is that there are many charities… So which one is more valuable than another? The answer is they’re all valuable, they’re all worthy, and they all need help. My message is just give. I always tell people: Once you give something back, whether it is a meal or something else, you’re hooked. It doesn’t pay monetarily, but it pays spiritually.”

While Meals on Wheels exemplifies the impact of large nonprofits, it’s important to recognize that every nonprofit started with one founder. The power of giving back extends beyond financial contributions or organizational affiliations; it encompasses individual efforts that, when combined, create a significant force for good. Volunteering time, skills, or expertise to local charities or community initiatives amplifies the impact on a smaller scale but with no less significance.

Charities, regardless of size, often rely on the dedication of community members to address specific needs. Whether it’s assisting at a food bank, participating in neighborhood clean-ups, or mentoring youth, individuals contribute to improving their communities. The collective force of these small-scale efforts enhances the overall well-being of their communities.

Most nonprofit organizations benefit from individuals offering their specific skills and expertise. Professionals in fields such as marketing, legal services, or IT can provide valuable assistance to organizations that may lack these resources. By leveraging their unique skills, individuals become a force for good, enabling nonprofits to operate more efficiently and effectively. Organizations like www.catchafire.org serve as terrific resources to connect skills to a nonprofit’s needs.

In harnessing the power of giving back, individuals become agents of positive change. Nonprofits and charities provide structured platforms for directing personal force towards addressing pressing societal issues. By contributing time, resources, or expertise to these organizations, individuals amplify their impact and collectively shape a better world.

When we acknowledge the inherent goodness in people, it becomes natural to want to be of service to them. By providing value to others, not only do we help them, but we also enrich ourselves. This cycle of giving and receiving fosters an upward spiral of positive energy and change, strengthening the force for good in the world.

This force for good resides within each of us, waiting to be unleashed. As individuals recognize their unique abilities and align them with the missions of nonprofits and charities, they not only improve the lives of others but also experience the profound fulfillment that comes from being a force for good.

CHARITY MATTERS.

 

YOUR REFERRAL IS THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT,  IF YOU ARE SO MOVED OR INSPIRED, WE WOULD LOVE YOU TO SHARE AND INSPIRE ANOTHER. If you enjoyed today’s episode, please connect with us:

Copyright © 2024 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.

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