On Saturday I went to my first “Cruise in.” I had such a great time looking at all the old classic cars and listening to the stories from those that have taken such great care of them. I came out to support my dad and his partner, Lynn who took it upon herself to orchestrate such an event in support of the Salvation Army. What inspired me so much about this event is that Lynn had the idea of putting together this event as a fundraiser and ended up having over 120 classic cars turn out, along with the entire community to support the cause. It was awesome! I was so proud of them both for making such a difference in the lives of others. We all have the ability to make a difference. You may not have the disposable income like Warren Buffet or Oprah Winfrey however you don’t need deep pockets to make a BIG difference.
Here are 3 simple things you can do to give back:
1. Give Your Time
Find a charity or cause that you would like to get involved in and find out how you can help. There are so many charities out there that need assistance and many cannot afford to hire more staff. By donating your time you give a much-needed resource to the cause. Schedule this time on your calendar like you would anything else. Determine how much time you want to donate a month; maybe it’s a ½ day once a month or an hour a week. Whatever you decide commit to it and see how great you feel in return.
2. Give Your Talent
We all have skills or experiences that we can share. Maybe you are a successful businessperson and can mentor at-risk youth. Or perhaps you are compassionate and love to listen; donating your time to a homeless shelter would be perfect for you. For the last couple years I have been involved with Step Up Women’s Network , a nonprofit membership organization igniting women & girls to fulfill their potential. Through Step Up, professional women mentor underserved teenage girls to help them create the life of their dreams.
3. Give Your Resources
Sure, we can all write a check but what if you went beyond that and made it part of your vision and mission? Social-Entrepreneurism is growing rapidly and many companies are adding “philanthropy” to their bottom line. There are companies like Nika Water that give 100% of their profits to bring clean water to countries in need. I drink Nika because I know they give back. Is there a way for you to integrate a cause you care about into a business model? Maybe for everyone that purchases your product or service a portion goes to charity? It doesn’t matter whether you have a small start-up or a huge organization; by incorporating philanthropy into your business model it is a win-win for everyone.
We get what we give. Make a habit of giving and watch how much you receive in return.
Shine ON!!
Keri
© 2012 Inspired Living, LLC
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Keri Murphy and the Inspired Living team is on a mission to empower people to use their unique talents in a way that allows them to Dream, Live and BE all that is possible through speaking, coaching, celebrity interviews and original on-line content. Get Inspired at inspiredliving.tv
