The Power of Bicycles
The holidays are all about the shiny new bicycle under the tree on Christmas morning. I remember when I was a kid, I saw my first “big girl” bike as my road to freedom and independence. I could go to the park by myself, to the store and me and my friends could rule and roam the neighborhood at will.
Combating Hunger. Creating Opportunity
I love New Years. I love taking the time to reflect on the past 12 months. I love the dreaming and scheming about what the New Year will hold for me. I dig it! Every year I designate a charity or non profit as my “philanthropic project” for the year. I donate undesignated funds and other resources to them as I am able.
Interest .vs. Involvement-Minding the Gap
I was a slacker in high school. Shocking. You laugh, but it was true. I never joined ANYTHING in high school. I openly mocked people who were active and involved. How ironic that not only do I love service and consider it my life’s mission to get as many people active around the world that I can, but my GIRLS are the ultimate joiners.
Operation: igiveada.mn
You think I finally went off the deep end dont’cha? Well you are correct- The Thanksgiving edition of my blog is dedicated to people that give a damn. I thought in between all the turkey, dressing ( I live in the south–we do not call it stuffing), potatoes, pecan pie and the same old tired story about how you had a crush on your 3rd grade teacher- that you would want to be inspired and challenged.
Educating Africa
I have travelled all over the world from Bali to Tajikistan, from Greece to El Salvador. I am a passionate lover of culture and travel. There is not a place on this planet that I would not be open to visit and see firsthand if given the opportunity. I have eaten grasshoppers in Mexico, slept in a yurt in Kyrgyzstan and eaten my fair share of piping hot sambhar in India. Having said all of that -I need to make a confession.
Helping People See…..
Sometime you do not have the words to articulate the joy, pain, love, hope, or connection that you felt in a singular moment. What happens when you tell your story of service and community without words? You use pictures. And not just your mama’s Polaroids but, images that grab you by the heart and make you sit up to pay attention That make you laugh and make you weep. These images are HOLY.
Giving thanks by giving of self
Have you been in a store lately?
If you have, you’ve noticed that the Holidays are here. Now. Not in 6 weeks, but in less than two. The trees, the cornucopias, mistletoe, The Macy’s Christmas commercials have taken the stage front and center. In a few weeks, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving in the U.S. It’s my favorite holiday. No gifts, no pressure, just food, family and friends -easy breezy.
The key is in the asking…
Most volunteers will tell you that they did not donate for one simple reason. No. One. Asked.
Let’s dissect the motivation behind volunteering and donating money to a charity (we will not literally dissect a volunteer, that’s a blog for another day).
My life is my message
This post is in honor of my great grandfather Nelson Jackson. This month, we are celebrating his 105th birthday. His life has been an incredible message of love, faith, hope and family- a message worth sharing with the world.