Save a Life

Want a really easy way to save a life? Give blood. It doesn't take a large amount of time and doesn't cost anything, but it can make all the difference in the life of someone else. I must confess that I'm not a fan of needles, but this is no excuse. The potential impact by donating blood is too high to let needle fear get in the way!

Apologizing

Is there somebody needs to apologize to? It may be somebody from your past or somebody from the president that if you can is highly advisable to go ahead and apologize as soon as you can. Asking for forgiveness is never easy, but is important because it can clear your heart and your mind from the past wrongs you've committed. Apologizing is service modeling to yourself, but to the person that you hurt. A simple e-mail or call can be enough. This isn't easy, but it can help us mend the wrongdoings that we've committed. It can also help us connect with others and forgive ourselves.

Changing a Culture

How do you change a culture for the better? Reflecting on the quotes below is a good place to start.

“If we want to change our culture for the better, we need more and more individuals possessing the right world values and the right world view and therefore, making better choices."

“How do we redeem a culture? …from the inside out. From the individual to the family to the community, and then outward in ever-widening ripples.”

-Charles Colson

It's OK to Be Sad (sometimes)

Oftentimes we think that it's not okay to be sad, to need help, to be lonely. However, it's really important for us to accept these feelings, to feel them out, to understand that it’s normal. Ignoring these feelings and deep emotions can be self-destructive.

It's also important for us to allow others to heal this way. Life is not always good. There are difficult times we have to confront. This makes us a deeper, more experienced, more nuanced people. Overcoming life's challenges requires facing up to the difficult times. We have to recognize that our lives are not always going to be perfect. There are going to be sad times. People are going to die. Jobs are going to be lost. Families are going to be decided. However, accept these difficult times, and enable yourself to move on into the future to the better things that lie ahead. This frees us from the bonds of the past and enables us to move into the future.

If you need a friend, be a friend

Have you ever seen a small container on the counter of a grocery store or gas station that says, "Take a penny leave a penny”? This is just like with friendship. Many of us are in need of friends. Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace and all the other social networks are great. But this doesn't replace the bonds of friendship that can only happen in person. We need to interact with other people. This is important to what it means to be human.

I think many of us are lost when we try to figure out how to get a new friend. This can make our lives lonely, especially when you don't have family that lives nearby. It's difficult to know how to get a friend when you're in a place where you're by yourself. One of the best ways to solve this problem, though, is to help someone in need. By helping someone in need, you show that you care. Caring is what friendship is all about. By showing someone you care, you are being a friend. Everyone needs these relationships, no matter how self-sufficient one may seem. The next time you see someone in need, do what you can to help. You'll end up making a difference in a person's life and also adding a new friend.

Finding an Oasis

Everyone needs to have a safe place, a quiet place where they can have peace and reflect on their situation in the world. It's important to take the time to separate yourself from others and to have a place where you can go and feel safe. This is an oasis that will help you restore your mind, reflect on recent experiences, and determine how you want to live your life. An oasis is a quiet place where you can seclude yourself to restore your mind. In the midst of a busy world, with never-ending work, and endless obligations, you must take time to be by yourself and think. Disconnecting from the world for a few brief moments can help you can put clarity into your life, learn how to serve others, and determine what you can do for others.

18 going on 80

18 going on 80

Our society often expects us to know by age 18 what we will have accomplished in our lives by age 80. Once we graduate from high school we're expected to be able to tell friends and family who we are, where we went to go, when we will start a family, how we will succeed in life, how we will choose to serve others, how we will be successful, how we will avoid failure.

This is both unfair and unrealistic. We cannot know at age 18 where we will be by the time we are 80. We can make decisions in our lives, but ultimately those decisions will be affected by the decisions of others. I believe in hard work in making decisions that direct our future, but some things are simply not determined by our own decisions. We are impacted by the choices of others. We are impacted by events that happened and the world. There are things we cannot control. We simply cannot know by age 18 what we are going to be when we are age 80.

Commitment and Marriage

Marriage is a societal practice that we should respect. Unlike living with someone, marriage involves a lifelong commitment to serve someone else. Commitment is important, and the legal seal of a marriage cannot be underestimated. Marriage is not just something that happens before children. It's not just a wedding. It's the joining of two people who commit to serving each other throughout life. Living together without marriage is not a commitment. It does not offer the same sense of security or promise that marriage offers. Marriage is good for our society needs to be embraced. It is a way for us to serve others.

Marriage is Service

If you look at divorce statistics, the lack of individuals who are getting married, and the number of unhappy marriages, you'd think that marriage is a bad thing. However, I disagree. Even though I am single, I think that marriage is something worthwhile, something to aspire to. In its very essence, marriage is a partnership between two people. It is a commitment to serve someone throughout life. This is a type of service that knows no bounds. This is service regardless of the sickness, health, wealth, beauty, fitness, success, momentary happiness.

Who is in most need?

Who is in most need?

Many times, when we think of who is the most needy person in the world, we think of someone with shriveled skin, no money, no home, no job. This is usually someone without the physical and material trappings of the developed world. However, some of the neediest people that I've come into contact with are the people who are emotionally and spiritually needy. They are strained by their lack of life purpose, by their lack of religious understanding and their general dissatisfaction with life. They may have everything that they need to survive physically, but they don't have anything to make their lives spiritually and mentally fulfilling.

These are some of the neediest people that we encounter. What can you do to uplift someone like this today? How can you encourage them? How can you up with them?

The Importance of Words

Have you ever heard: Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me? This makes for a great rhyme, but I don't think there's truth in the saying. Words can really hurt. They can damage relationships, hurt feelings, and it destroys self-esteem. Our words are important and they can impact the lives of others. It's important to watch what we say and make sure that they uplift the lives of the people around us.

Mentoring

One of the biggest impacts you can have on the life of another person is mentor them. At some point in everyone's life, you have to choose what you're trying to make a living. This can be a very difficult decision inventory can help someone determine what their talents are and how they can uses those talents to contribute to society.

Even if you're young and new in your job, you could help somebody figure out what their talents are what they're good at, and enable them to get a job. You can also give them the tools and encouragement needed to figure out how they can make a difference in the lives of others through their work. If you've recently been on the job market and were successful, you can also give helpful tips about how they can also find a job. This practical information can be invaluable and help someone understand the true worth that they have and how it can be beneficial to others.

Getting to Know You

If you’ve just moved somewhere, one of the best ways to meet new people is to volunteer. You’ll get to meet all the people who come to a fundraising event/ service effort. In addition, you’ll get to know the leaders of the organization you’re supporting. It’s likely that these people are well-connected within the community and can help you meet other people. This is a great way to help others and help yourself in a time of need.

Caring for Kids

Some of the most recent statistics about kids in America are startling. Take a look at these facts from the Children’s Defense Fund’s 2010 State of America’s Children report:

Each day in the US,

• 4 children are killed by abuse or neglect
• 5 children or teens commit suicide
• 202 children are arrested for committing violent crime
• 2,222 high school students drop out
• 18,493 public school students are suspended

What will you do to help change this for the better?

Who is Eunice Kennedy Shriver?

Who is Eunice Kennedy Shriver?

Born in 1921, Eunice Kennedy’s life legacy is her work to give mentally handicapped individuals the opportunity to become respected members of the community. She believed that these Americans could contribute to society and should be treated with respect. In 1968 she established the Special Olympics, which is renowned for its athletic events held for mentally handicapped people. These events give them a fun way to engage in physical activity and competitions. She also helped found the National Institute for Child Health and Development.

“You are the stars, and the world is watching you. By your presence, you send a message to every village, every city, every nation, a message of hope, a message of victory.”
-Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Fun Events for Fundraising

Fun Events for Fundraising

Need help brainstorming events that you can use as fundraisers? There are plenty of options aside from extravagant galas and ballroom dances. Consider these options:

-Office Olympics
-Cheese or chocolate tastings
-Health fairs
-Roasts
-Golf/tennis/soccer/bowling/Scrabble tournaments
-Open mic concerts
-House parties
-Dance-a-thons

People Who Can Recruit Volunteers

One of the best sources for recruiting volunteers is the people who are already involved in your cause or organization. Ask them if they have any friends, colleagues, family members, or networking contacts who would be interested in volunteering. Here are some of the people who can help with this:

-Donors
-Fundraising volunteers
-Website visitors
-Newsletter recipients
-Board members (if you have them)
-Program beneficiaries

Giving Now

Many people choose to save up their money and entrust it to a foundation or trust that will disperse the funds to good causes after they pass away. However, many of America’s greatest philanthropists are following a different model. First, they devote a considerable portion of their time, energy, and talents accumulating massive amounts of wealth. Then, they spend the end of their lives giving a significant portion of that wealth to others. They believe that a part of their service to others is not only donating the money, but also determining where it can best be put to use. In this sense, they use the intellectual capital they cultivated while earning financial capital in order to ‘invest’ the money where it may make the biggest difference to the community. This is an approach many of us should consider when reflecting on how to give money in the most effective manner.

“Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.” –Andrew Carnegie

Volunteer 'Jobs'

Volunteer ‘Jobs’

When you’re fortunate enough to get volunteers to help, it’s important to let them not what you expect of them and how they can contribute. There’s no need to write an actual job description to give them, but having a clear idea of what their responsibilities are is important. Make sure that you communicate about the following topics so that there is a mutual understanding about what they will be able to do to help:

-Specific responsibilities
-Training that you provide
-Time commitment and scheduling
-Team participation
-Opportunities to get more involved
-Fundraising goals