Joy! Giving It Away ...
Join our 30-Day Pilgrimage into Joy!
Day 33-34: We Affirm that Giving Brings Joy
Our "Pilgrimage into Joy" continues on with a Joy Rebel Blog Party.
See yesterday's post for all the juicy details.
What am I feeling especially Joy-full about today? Giving. I know I've said it here before, but if I were a wealthy woman, my full-time job choice would be "Philanthropist." I could find no greater Joy than spending my hours giving away all my wealth.
How about you? Do you love to Give?
Giving wholeheartedly from the storehouse of your heart creates true Joy—for both the giver and the receiver. The virtue of generosity has a very high vibration, indeed, generosity being another twin sister to Joy. How many twin sisters does Joy have anyway? Plenty!
And Joy breeds compassion ... Oh, do we need more compassion in our world right now!
I thought I'd share with you my top three favorite charitable causes that bring me great Joy. Just thinking about them, and the good they are doing in the world, makes my heart dance the happy dance.
The Seva Foundation
Seva (say-va) is a Sanskrit word for service. Seva Foundation was formed in 1978 with a mission to alleviate suffering caused by disease and poverty. Their approach is to build partnerships that respond to locally defined problems with culturally sustainable solutions. Working in nine countries in addition to the United States, Seva Foundation supports projects in the area of health and wellness, community development, environmental protection and cultural preservation. Seva currently works to:
~Prevent blindness and restore sight in India, Nepal, Tibet, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Tanzania and Guatemala.
~Help indigenous communities in Guatemala and Mexico develop their capacity to meet basic needs and create solutions to poverty and injustice.
~Support Native American projects across the U.S. in the areas of health and wellness, community development, environmental protection and cultural preservation.
This is how it works. You purchase an "action."
For example, I can donate $50 and restore one blind person's sight in Tibet or plant a community garden with traditional Native American foods on a reservation. There is an entire list of what "gift of service" you can purchase. Click here to learn more.
You might also like to watch this You Tube video with Seva's co-founder's and spiritual teacher, Ram Dass.
The Tibetan Nuns Project
In 1987 the Tibetan Nuns Project was founded to provide education and humanitarian aid to refugee nuns from Tibet and the Himalayan regions of India. Food, clothing, housing, and basic medical care were organized. A sponsorship program was set up. Now nuns in six different nunneries, which represent all of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, receive support through the Project.
For a monthly donation of $30, you can sponsor a nun living in exile, providing her with housing, food, and education for one year. You can correspond with "your nun." Or donate by making a purchase from their Store. Personally, I love their mala bracelets and bags. All items are made by the nuns themselves. Click here to learn more.
There is a soul stirring You Tube video on the Nun's Project you might enjoy.
Whatever It Takes
The concept is simple. They gather artworks from leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, sports, literature etc. Each ambassador donates a symbol of hope, a self portrait and a message of hope for the future.
These artworks are used to create products: 'merchandise with a meaning'. From wristbands to clothing, from tableware to cosmetics and footwear, each product is ethically produced and sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader. Click here for the complete list to locate your favorites.
The aim is to raise a minimum of $3 million over three years to fund charitable projects in developing countries, contribute to the protection of the environment and other charitable causes.
I just purchased a very cool mug created by Michael Caine and Lady Shakira Caine. Their project of choice is " 21st Century Leaders and Anti-Slavery International." I love what the Caine's message of hope inscribed on the mug: "Smile Today. Life is not a rehearsel."
I also purchased a mug designed by Donna Karan for my step-daughter and a plate designed by actress Minnie Driver for a dear friend. They are very affordable. (Hint: I found mine at TJ Maxx.) Click here to learn more.
Learn more by watching the You Tube Video with George Clooney.
So, what kind of GIVING gets you jazzed with Joy? I am eager to hear ...
~~~~~
(Banner photo courtesy of the Seva Foundation.)
What am I feeling especially Joy-full about today? Giving. I know I've said it here before, but if I were a wealthy woman, my full-time job choice would be "Philanthropist." I could find no greater Joy than spending my hours giving away all my wealth.
How about you? Do you love to Give?
Giving wholeheartedly from the storehouse of your heart creates true Joy—for both the giver and the receiver. The virtue of generosity has a very high vibration, indeed, generosity being another twin sister to Joy. How many twin sisters does Joy have anyway? Plenty!
And Joy breeds compassion ... Oh, do we need more compassion in our world right now!
I thought I'd share with you my top three favorite charitable causes that bring me great Joy. Just thinking about them, and the good they are doing in the world, makes my heart dance the happy dance.
The Seva Foundation
Seva (say-va) is a Sanskrit word for service. Seva Foundation was formed in 1978 with a mission to alleviate suffering caused by disease and poverty. Their approach is to build partnerships that respond to locally defined problems with culturally sustainable solutions. Working in nine countries in addition to the United States, Seva Foundation supports projects in the area of health and wellness, community development, environmental protection and cultural preservation. Seva currently works to:~Prevent blindness and restore sight in India, Nepal, Tibet, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Tanzania and Guatemala.
~Help indigenous communities in Guatemala and Mexico develop their capacity to meet basic needs and create solutions to poverty and injustice.
~Support Native American projects across the U.S. in the areas of health and wellness, community development, environmental protection and cultural preservation.
This is how it works. You purchase an "action."
For example, I can donate $50 and restore one blind person's sight in Tibet or plant a community garden with traditional Native American foods on a reservation. There is an entire list of what "gift of service" you can purchase. Click here to learn more.
You might also like to watch this You Tube video with Seva's co-founder's and spiritual teacher, Ram Dass.
The Tibetan Nuns Project
In 1987 the Tibetan Nuns Project was founded to provide education and humanitarian aid to refugee nuns from Tibet and the Himalayan regions of India. Food, clothing, housing, and basic medical care were organized. A sponsorship program was set up. Now nuns in six different nunneries, which represent all of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, receive support through the Project.
For a monthly donation of $30, you can sponsor a nun living in exile, providing her with housing, food, and education for one year. You can correspond with "your nun." Or donate by making a purchase from their Store. Personally, I love their mala bracelets and bags. All items are made by the nuns themselves. Click here to learn more.
There is a soul stirring You Tube video on the Nun's Project you might enjoy.
Whatever It Takes
The concept is simple. They gather artworks from leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, sports, literature etc. Each ambassador donates a symbol of hope, a self portrait and a message of hope for the future.
These artworks are used to create products: 'merchandise with a meaning'. From wristbands to clothing, from tableware to cosmetics and footwear, each product is ethically produced and sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader. Click here for the complete list to locate your favorites.
The aim is to raise a minimum of $3 million over three years to fund charitable projects in developing countries, contribute to the protection of the environment and other charitable causes.
I just purchased a very cool mug created by Michael Caine and Lady Shakira Caine. Their project of choice is " 21st Century Leaders and Anti-Slavery International." I love what the Caine's message of hope inscribed on the mug: "Smile Today. Life is not a rehearsel."
I also purchased a mug designed by Donna Karan for my step-daughter and a plate designed by actress Minnie Driver for a dear friend. They are very affordable. (Hint: I found mine at TJ Maxx.) Click here to learn more.
Learn more by watching the You Tube Video with George Clooney.
So, what kind of GIVING gets you jazzed with Joy? I am eager to hear ...
~~~~~
(Banner photo courtesy of the Seva Foundation.)
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13 comments:
Right now the Joy that really gets me jazzed up is being totally present for my family. I spent many years buried inside of myself. Not able to give much to many. Today my heart is open and I am awake to the unconditional love that my family has for me. I give to them today fully and authentically.
I get much JOY in sending donations to the Capuchin Missions. My uncle is a Capuchin Brother and because of my love for him and all that the Capuchins do, I give to their cause. They provide food, housing, education and Christian teaching to the poor all over the world. I'm happy to be a part of their world of GIVING.
The giving of my attention, my full attention to everything I am doing is what I am really working on now. I give alot of my time volunteering puting on donation-only ten day meditation courses here in Colorado,
but it is the giving of my full attention to whatever I am doing that I am really called to work on right now. And when I'm able to do it my heart sings...
Jill,
This is a beautiful spin on giving! It sounds as if your growth has been profound. Congratulations! I'm with you that nothing is more important that being fully present to our loved ones.
Julie,
Sounds like a very worthy cause. Isn't it wonderful when we find just the right charitable service that touches our heart?
Molly,
Oh, I would love to attend one of your courses. How great that you do not charge for this. Imagine all the ways your service is opening up others to their OWN ability to give and serve. :-)
Those are all excellent charities. Many years ago, I made the decision to narrow the focus of my formal donating to only those charities that benefit animal causes. That's what dearest to my heart. I have a few favourites and do my best to give on a regular basis.
I also like to do random acts of giving and that doesn't always have to involve money. A well placed compliment can do wonders for someone's day, as can a hug given with true feeling.
*Blessings*
Carolynn
I inquire from friends and church members about women, especially with children who can't afford the small Christmas traditions and buy what they need to bring the joys of the Christmas holiday in their homes.
Nothing extravagant, just the small touches.
Because I love interior design, I visit poor families and teach them how to redecorate their small spaces to achieve an inspiring environment.
I like to give in small ways. The basket of fresh tomatoes I bring to my neighbor; the new mittens we give to the library's Christmas tree. I also like to give when it is completely unexpected, a surprise giving ... a random gift for my family, a surprise daytrip or dinner out. Something that just eases someone's day in a small way.
What a generous post, Jan. I've enjoyed reading about everyone's favorite charities.
Ever since Writing Home was published (in 2005) I've been donating my proceeds from book sales to homeless shelters in my community, at holiday time. These include The Welcome Inn at the Unity Church in Royal Oak, as well as The South Oakland Shelter (SOS). Because "home" is so important to me -- and so many people in the Detroit area are homeless -- this small gesture is something I can do to make a difference. It's really selfish -- because it makes me feel better!
What kind of giving gets me jazzed with joy? The random kind. The person who doesn’t have quite enough for groceries, I give them what their missing… coming to the aid of my young inner city friend who needed a ride home late at night from the hospital where his dad was admitted with a heat attack, donating to our Christmas angel program at work, buying hand made poppies from a Veteran, bringing a flower to a sick friend, writing a special poem for someone, shoveling someone else’s driveway for them, taking a group of kids camping for a weekend of outdoor fun,… Giving makes my heart sing with Joy!! Again Jan I thank you for your wondrous journey to/with/in/of Joy! Love and Light, Nina P.
Carolynn,
You seem to be doing what many folks these days are doing--focusing your charitable giving in one area and I do know your passion for animals, so good for you! And, I agree, sometimes the greatest gesture of giving is to simply be kind...
Cheryl,
The small touches you describe sound wonderful. What a unique offering you are making in helping those in need beautify their spaces. So inspiring!
Cindy,
I have always thought it wonderful that you donate some proceeds from your book to charity. Your giving sounds passion-laden, for sure!
Nina,
I just penned an article for a women's mag I write for on this very subject...the small, random kindnesses we can offer to someone, anyone! Yours sound simply beautiful!
Hi Jan, I also love the Seva Foundation. This winter I purchased a whole bunch of their gift cards, and added them to my bulletin board over my desk. It is like having a wall of beautiful faces smiling at me as I work, and a reminder to dedicate what I do to the large human family and the greater wholeness of which I am a part.
we like giving Random Acts of Kindness (RAK)
I have used the fun cards from Creativity Portal to leave little surprises on co-workers desks
(fresh flowers, chocolate, or even a completed file of work they were supposed to do but haven't had time for)
http://www.creativity-portal.com/images/kindness/kindness-act-card.pdf
Have also used their beverage cards, where you pay for the coffee of the person behind you in the line, then hand them the beverage card as you walk away
http://www.creativity-portal.com/kindness/downloads/pass-along-cards.html
i like the concept of giving something tangible to remind them how good they felt when someone hit them with a RAK, and hope it encourages them to pass it on
on a larger giving scale, for the past few years we have given money to support a village of orphans in Cambodia
They are cared for in small groups with "house parents" etc to mimic normal family structure and life
our money goes so far there
and achieved so much more than it would here
my husband would also love to be a philanthropist, but has always 'practised' being one with what little we had
at the moment we are struggling to cover our bills due to my retrenchment and consequent re-employment in a much lower paying part-time job
so at the moment, our giving does not involve financial exchange
Ingrid,
That is a marvelous idea. So often we get caught up on focusing on ourselves and our own little predicaments. Those smiling faces would certainly serve as an apt reminder to render our life's work for the benefit of all beings.
Kel,
The notion of RAK may be one of the most potent. I, too, love this concept and just wrote an article about it for a women's magazine. I titled it, "Kindness matters," and it features the small ways--like those you mention here--that open us up to greater awareness of the needs of others. The thoughtful gestures you make to your co-workers, for example, speak volumes about the kind of person you are. So glad to know ye, mate!
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