25

Months ago I read an article that changed me. Looking back I wish I had saved it, or written down the name of the person who changed my view and motivated me to give MORE. This inspirational woman said she was going to give until it didn’t hurt any more.

What does that mean- give until it doesn’t hurt anymore? To me it means when you are at the register in the store and someone asks if you want to make a donation to a particular cause you don’t get annoyed by yet another donation request. You embrace opportunities to give. When you walk by the door and are asked for a donation, instead of avoiding you embrace how blessed your life is that you have the means to help another in need.

Balance in nature means taking only what you need, not the extreme amounts of excess we so easily get carried away with today. To me this does not mean giving everything away and living a life of poverty, it means consciously and continuously taking action to give away excess that you don’t need back to the world, and to the people and causes that do. We are a part of nature. Our well being depends on the well being of the world around us. Interestingly enough the more you give, the more you are blessed with, especially in terms of inner peace and happiness.

If you could buy inner peace and happiness would you? What price would you pay for it? What if you can? What if you can buy inner peace and happiness by giving- giving your time, giving your love, and giving money?

Although I don’t remember names as well as I would like to, I do remember the energy and feelings I receive from inspirational people. As they have gifted me with their life inspiration I hope to pass it on. One woman said “When I think about making a purchase I ask myself- Do I need this material thing as much as someone else could use the money if I donated it? Often times the answer is no.”

If you can pay your bills, feed your family, and are left with excess, consider giving back. In giving back you are giving to yourself. You are giving yourself love, peace and happiness because you recognize and are conscious of your blessings. Make a choice. Is it another toy or food for someone without? Another pair of shoes for you or a pair for a child without? All I am saying is- choose love as much as you possibly can!

If you have $25 excess, today on the 25th of April consider participating in the Invisible Children 25 movement by donating $25.

Let your $25 help end 25 years of war!

From the Invisible Children Website:
“We are story tellers. We make documentaries about war-affected children in east Africa and tour them around the world.”

“We use the power of media to inspire young people to help end the longest running war in Africa.”

“The war in northern Uganda has been called the most neglected humanitarian emergency in the world today. For the past 23 years, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda (GoU) have been waging a war that has left nearly two million innocent civilians caught in the middle. The GoU’s attempt to protect its citizens from this rebel militia has largely failed, resulting in an entire generation of youth that has never known peace.”

“We are supporting and equipping a generation ravaged by war so that they can finally know peace.”

What if your voice was not heard? What if you were hiding for your life? What is survival meant being invisible?