I came home last Saturday at 1 in the morning, after having worked 12 hours straight, tired and stressed out of my mind…and I hadn’t even packed for my overseas vacation happening just 5 hours later!
All those weeks of looking forward to my precious holiday, and it looked like I was going to spend the first day a sleep-deprived zombie. You can imagine how I must have felt.
But the moment I stepped home, I saw something that lifted my spirits immediately.
It was a surprise calender gift and letter from Mercy Corps. This is what it said:
Dear Alvin,
Thank you for your generous support of Mercy Corps as an online monthly giving member.
With your help, we are reaching more than 10 million people in 40 countries - from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Every day, we assist families in communities faced with some of the most difficult challenges of our time: hunger, lack of economic opportunity, conflict, access to clean water and education.
Your support helps open the doors to a new school, teaches a young mother how to provide good nutrition for her children, and plants a community garden that will feed a village. Together, we are empowering families, rebuilding communities and restoring hope.
As a token of our appreciation, we would like to give you the enclosed calender. Each time you look at it, we hope that you will be reminded of the life-changing difference you are making to individuals and families around the world.
Thank you!
Awwww. Now who wouldn’t feel great knowing your contribution is making a difference to someone else in the world?
In that spirit, I’m pledging 20% of whatever Life Coaches Blogs makes from now on to charity.
Because I believe it’s not just about us, and that those of us who have it better have the chance to give back and help build a better world.
P.S. If you want to start giving too, but don’t know where to start, the independent charity evaluator Charity Navigator is a good place to begin.
November 10th, 2006 at 12:47 am
Wow Al ! Did you have a good trip. I must say that you really have grown much since the first time I met you 2 years back !
November 10th, 2006 at 4:43 am
This post reminded me about something A. Robbins wrote in his famous NLP book. He said you should give a certain percentage (was it 5%?) of your earnings to charity. Because the positive energy would come right back to you. And because of the fact that you’re financially able to donate, makes you feel ‘rich’…
November 11th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Gee, thanks Bren! You’ve been a real friend through and through these last 2 years
I had a fantastic time! Just posted a photo in my previous post. Tell you all about it soon.
Hi Jef, good point, that’s exactly how I learnt about tithing and giving away. You just inspired me to write about that
November 12th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
That’s awesome dude! I think it’ll be wonderful when you get those “thank you” notes more often … and I hope everybody helps out with this charity pledge!
Apart from paypal donations & adsense … do you also promote products or monetize the site in any other way?
November 12th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Hmm Alvin, I haven’t known you for 2 yrs, but I’m still able to say I can feel you changing just by reading your thoughts.
Keep making positive changes in people’s lives by doing what you do …
November 13th, 2006 at 9:39 pm
Thanks guys
Rachit, I plug books via Amazon affiliates sometimes but nothing else. Any suggestions?
November 2nd, 2007 at 3:27 am
Good site - you\’re a pretty good writer.o