Sometimes it’s easy to complain about the tough choices we have to make each day. I read a story today that changed how I look at my decisions.
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. The story was about Natasha Marcial, a mother who survived the quake only to contract cholera and face a decision that no one should have to make. She had to decide whether to give up her newborn or search for her missing children. Natasha made the tough choice to stay at the clinic with her newborn, and was left to only hope for the best for her two other children. Fortunately, her family was eventually reunited a week later.
So going back to most of our lives, in the grand scheme of things, many of our day-to-day decisions really aren’t that bad. At least for me, this perspective helps.
While many people rang in 2011 with various New Year’s resolutions, a couple in New York made their resolution for good.
The married couple, who calls themselves Giver Girl and Giver Boy, has resolved to give $52 a week to charitable causes for all 52 weeks of 2011. That sums up to a total donation of $2,704 for the year.
To chronicle the resolution’s progress, Giver Girl started a blog, 52times52. She also invites others to join them in their giving pledge, with a running tally of names listed on the site that shows the growing impact.
In the coming weeks, the donors will be looking to fund causes close to her heart, such as suicide prevention and foster care programs, as well as other organizations that grab their heart along the way.
Every day, awesome things happen. They happen to you, me, everyone.
Just yesterday, I thought it was awesome to be thanked by a friend for posting an article on Facebook. It was also awesome to watch an amazing touchdown run in a NFL playoff game.
Awesome things can be huge and complicated. Awesome things can be small and simple. Awesome things can be anything. The common link? They make you smile :)
A blog I read, 1000 Awesome Things by Neil Pasricha, highlights some of these things. The blog was launched in June 2008 and is updated every weekday with a new awesome thing.
What awesome thing were you a part of today?
I remember seeing you post about Camp Kesem a lot on facebook, it’s cool to see you so energized about something. If I have any advice to give, it’s to keep that kind of passion in front of you all the time; the money will follow and the hours will be easy.
– Tim Tuff
(my friend, former cross country coach, and now entrepreneur)
Oh so true. I don’t think I could have put it more eloquently myself.
Passion is so powerful and should never be ignored. I’d always rather work with a passionate and less competent person than a passionless competent person. The passion drives the former to become competent. It’s something you can’t teach.
As for the second part of the statement, I wholeheartedly agree. I believe that if you follow your heart, everything will eventually fall into place. And you’ll enjoy what you do. Win-win.