Giving - Karen's Perspective

Happy Valentines Day

Valentines Day

I woke up to the most wonderful Valentines Day. Did you?

I walked out to find a breakfast lovingly prepared by my Valentine, my hot tea poured and a beautiful gift ready to be opened. Even the Sunday paper was there unfolded and waiting to be read. Was it the gifts that were so special, or the thoughts and actions behind them?

Don’t get me wrong, I love the bracelet and I’m keeping it! But my favorite things on the table were the handmade cards. A little bit of writing (in red, of course) that said, “I love you.” Just something so simple written out on the paper napkins touched me the most.

Did you do something special for someone?

In this time of turbulent economy and the recent tragedy in Haiti, it got me thinking about the need to do something daily for others.

Please Help

02 / 13 / 2010
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Haiti

If you still haven’t decided how you can help in Haiti, how about giving to Wine to Water, the gift of clean water. This video is not about their efforts in Haiti, but shows you who Wine to Water is.

Here is an excerpt I received today from a letter Doc Hendley just sent from Haiti:

“We are working to get out 500 filters that will give 5000 people clean water for over 5 years at a purity of 99.95 percent. They are amazing. My hope is that in the next few weeks we can have enough money to build a few thousand of these filters.”

“Money is worth nothing right now, water is the currency.”

Thanks.

01 / 28 / 2010
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Making 2010 count.

Feet Washing

It’s a new year and we’re thinking about how we can make this year special. How we can make it important. What we can do this year that really matters.

I asked permission to include the following letter from a very close friend of mine. She spent the 2009 Christmas holidays volunteering at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic; 10 days helping to tear down and rebuild a building – nights playing, teaching and giving to the boys who live at the orphanage. Her letter is an inspiration to me and I pray that it will also inspire you as you set your goals to make a difference in 2010.

“We’re going to have a spa for the boys!” What does that mean, exactly? Spa – as in manis and pedis? Seriously? You want us to wash their feet? With our hands? Have you seen their feet?

Christmas Eve 2009 was going to be as special for these boys as the impressive Orphanage Outreach team could make it. With a group of dedicated, albeit skeptical, volunteers – anything was possible.

Miracle on 34th Street – or Your Street

Did you watch it again? Such a great movie.

In “Miracle on 34th Street,” Kris Kringle, a department store Santa at Macy’s, creates a huge controversy when he tells a mother that she can buy the skates her child wants for Christmas at Gimbels, Macy’s number one competitor.

“Miracle on 34th Street” is, among other things, the story of how one person helped people live by their deepest values in the most commercial season of the year.

The department store Santa had been told to direct customers to buy Macy’s products. When the Macy’s higher–ups hear that their Santa is sending people to Gimbels, they are not pleased. Later, the press picks up the story with the message that Macy’s is exhibiting the Christmas spirit, and Gimbels gets into the act, – sending people to Macy’s when Macy’s can better meet their customers’ needs. The generosity spreads, with the outcome that the impossible happens: Mr. Macy ends up shaking hands with Mr. Gimbel.

No matter what business you’re in, maybe you’re not even in any business, may the spirit and intent of the Macy’s Santa be ours – to offer our help to others when they need it even if we don’t receive the immediate benefit personally.

In 2010, give. Give because the Universe is watching. Give because it’s always better than being in need. Give because you want to. Give because you can.

You can never outgive God, no matter whom you believe him/her to be. Go ahead, try. And, next time you have the chance, gather your loved ones around and watch “Miracle on 34th Street”.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

12 / 25 / 2009
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Thank you, Google.

Google

What did you do special for the Holidays?

Click here to see your special gift from Google.

Feeding America
Boys and Girls Clubs
Smile Train
CARE, Mothers Matter
World Wildlife Fund, Natural Capital Project
Mobile Creches
Prajwala
HEAL Africa
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences

The Mango Tree
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Harlem Children’s Zone
Save the Children, Latin America focus
Reporters Without Borders
Witness
Loud Against Nazis
Global Voices

Ushahidi
Save the Children, Middle East and Eurasia focus
Grupo Cultural Afro Reaggae
Ashesi University College, Ghana
Pratham
Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience
Shin Shin Educational Foundation
Tzu Chi Foundation

12 / 23 / 2009
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Giving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful for..

#1, health. If you have your health, you can do anything. No matter what your trials or tribulations, if you’re healthy, you can overcome. I cherish my health.

Love of family and friends. If you want more, give more! All the universal laws guarantee that what you give, you’ll receive – what you sow, you’ll reap, for yin there’s yang, what you give out comes back to you. If you want more from your friendships, be more of a friend. If you want family members to love you more, be more loving. It’s that easy.

I’m very thankful for whoever started this national day where all of us are thankful at the same time. Was it was a pilgrim “event” thanking the Indians for teaching the art of growing crops that would sustain them in the new world? Imagine, a simple meal, an act of love for kindness shown that carries on for hundreds of years.

I’m thankful that I can give back. I have talents I can share, time I can spare and treasures left at the end of the month that I can freely give to people and causes in need. It is definitely more blessed to be able to give than to be in need. For being able to give, I am thankful.

I’m thankful for the time to reflect on all that I have, everyday. And, I’m thankful to you for taking the time to read my words.

Happy Thanksgiving.

11 / 26 / 2009
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Giving

March of Dimes

Last night, we went to a black tie fundraiser for the March of Dimes. What a fantastic evening. A beautiful room filled with items for the silent auctions. There were games and prizes all evening. Chefs from local restaurants prepared and served food, then auctioned off their skills to the highest bidder for an evening of items prepared for the winner and their guests.

It was spectacular fun and a chance to give to a worthwhile cause. The event raised over $100,000 in just a few memorable hours. Congratulations to Greensboro for stepping up where there’s a need.

In case you didn’t know:

North Carolina has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country, ranking 45th out of 50. More than 1000 babies die before their first birthday each year.
The average lifetime medical cost of 1 premature baby is estimated at $500,000. The total annual cost of premature babies nationwide is more than $26 billion. Emotional costs for the families? Immeasurable.
Premature birth can happen to any woman no matter how well she takes care of herself before and during her pregnancy.
More than one million preemies die each year.

The mission of the March of dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The mission is accomplished through research, community service, public and professional education and advocacy.

Can you help? March of Dimes.