One day, about 3 years ago, I got a call from a lady named Lisa. She told me she was with the New England Aquarium. Lisa was looking for a house on the island where I lived, that was furnished, could hold 6 people and was available for one month in the summer. She was part of a team of scientist coming to Cape Sable Island, and they were using this location as a base to continue their work with Right Whales, the rarest whales in the world.
Lisa told me this team had visited the island about 20 years ago as part of their research. I asked where they had stayed at that time - that might be a place to start looking. She informed me they didn't have any place to stay 20 years ago and had to stay aboard their boat. I knew that 6 people, living for one month on a boat, without showers and facilities, would not be a good situation and they were staying into September with the possibility of some pretty cold nights.
I agreed right away that I would try to help but told her it would be extremely difficult to find accommodations for that number of people. Even trying to find a regular rental property could be difficult, let alone the additional requirements of completely furnished and all the extras like dishes and utensils that they would need.
I made some inquiries and was coming up empty handed. When I was running out of possibilities I thought to myself "the only way you are going to be able to help her is to give her your house" and right behind that thought was one that was a sarcastic "Right". Then I thought why not, after some discussions and reassurances on their part that things would be looked after I agreed. People told me that I was crazy, I had such a wonderful house, in such good condition and what would I find when I returned. I didn't listen to the critics and kept my word.
I made arrangements to go to my mother's cottage in the woods. I did hit the panic button just before I had to leave. I had never been away from the ocean for that long. I loved the ocean, it was my life line. How would I manage? Maybe I could stow away in my bedroom. Would that work?
It was time to go and I went hesitantly. What a wonderful surprise awaited me. Lisa and her crew were the catalyst for one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. I loved the quiet, the absolute solitude, the woods, nature and communion with the natural.
The crew from the New England Aquarium gave me one of the best gifts in my life and it come about all because I was willing to give. When you give - you get. Let your giving come from your heart and it will touch your heart in ways that are wondrous.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
He Made A Difference
Today I went for a walk on the beach, not an uncommon thing to do this time of year. I grew up on an island and spent most of my life there. I have many fond memories of being on or near the water. Today as I was walking, with the wind brushing my skin and the feel of salt in the air, one of my beach memories floated through my mind.
About one year ago I was in a European country, sitting on the beach, being a good student and doing my lessons, when the actions and looks of a gentleman drew my attention. What were the actions - he was picking up garbage on the beach, and the looks - he looked like he spent alot of time in the elements and his clothes were not in the best condition, could he be homeless? In many places it would not be a strange occurance to pick up garbage, but in this particular country it was not uncommon to see people throw things on the street, litter and littering was a problem. When I would see paper blowing, or other litter, pick it up then put it in the garbage, residents would look at me like I was part of a sideshow at the circus. So why was this man picking up garbage - was he being forced to, was he part of a "chain gang" or maybe he was fulfilling probation terms. This man was prepared for the job, complete with garbage bags.
Everyone has a story and I wondered what his was. I watched in hopes of getting some answers, but didn't arrive at any conclusions. I decided to ask, while I still had my opportunity. I was in luck, the gentleman was from England and spoke my language. He told me he was "just walking" and that as he walked he picked up garbage wherever he went. At one point in the conversation he looked down and he said "you know tomorrow it probably won't make a difference. You will see garbage here again and no one will even know that I was here." I assured him that it did make a difference.
I admired so much what he was doing that I wanted to do something for him. I wasn't sure what he did for food or where he was getting meals. All I had with me was my lunch money, which I gladly gave him. I could go without one meal and he could have lunch and maybe even replenish his garbage bags.
The next morning I was prepared to help this man again. I rushed to the beach only to find that the tide had brought more garbage in and the person I think of as the "I'm just walking and I pick up garbage wherever I go" man was gone. He was wrong about "tomorrow it probably won't make a difference...and no one will even know that I was here." If you ever happen to be in Europe and see a man just walking and picking up garbage as he goes, let him know he did make a difference and I will remember for a long time to come that he was there. I beleive in leaving things a little better than we find them, whether they are places, situations, or interactions with people and this man truly exemplified this - he certainly left everywhere he went better than he found it.
About one year ago I was in a European country, sitting on the beach, being a good student and doing my lessons, when the actions and looks of a gentleman drew my attention. What were the actions - he was picking up garbage on the beach, and the looks - he looked like he spent alot of time in the elements and his clothes were not in the best condition, could he be homeless? In many places it would not be a strange occurance to pick up garbage, but in this particular country it was not uncommon to see people throw things on the street, litter and littering was a problem. When I would see paper blowing, or other litter, pick it up then put it in the garbage, residents would look at me like I was part of a sideshow at the circus. So why was this man picking up garbage - was he being forced to, was he part of a "chain gang" or maybe he was fulfilling probation terms. This man was prepared for the job, complete with garbage bags.
Everyone has a story and I wondered what his was. I watched in hopes of getting some answers, but didn't arrive at any conclusions. I decided to ask, while I still had my opportunity. I was in luck, the gentleman was from England and spoke my language. He told me he was "just walking" and that as he walked he picked up garbage wherever he went. At one point in the conversation he looked down and he said "you know tomorrow it probably won't make a difference. You will see garbage here again and no one will even know that I was here." I assured him that it did make a difference.
I admired so much what he was doing that I wanted to do something for him. I wasn't sure what he did for food or where he was getting meals. All I had with me was my lunch money, which I gladly gave him. I could go without one meal and he could have lunch and maybe even replenish his garbage bags.
The next morning I was prepared to help this man again. I rushed to the beach only to find that the tide had brought more garbage in and the person I think of as the "I'm just walking and I pick up garbage wherever I go" man was gone. He was wrong about "tomorrow it probably won't make a difference...and no one will even know that I was here." If you ever happen to be in Europe and see a man just walking and picking up garbage as he goes, let him know he did make a difference and I will remember for a long time to come that he was there. I beleive in leaving things a little better than we find them, whether they are places, situations, or interactions with people and this man truly exemplified this - he certainly left everywhere he went better than he found it.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
My Secret to Feeling Rich
The times that I have felt the richest aren't necessarily those times that I have had the most money. Often times it has been quite the contrary. So what is my secret to feeling rich, and yes I will add feeling rich has a pretty good feel to it.
I feel the richest when I am able to give and let go of what I am giving freely, knowing that the universe will support me and I will have whatever it is I need. I feel more because of the giving and not less because of what is gone. I have come to realize that I am not my stuff. I am a Being not a having.
When we are feeling poor, or poor in spirit, we often mistake our stuff for ourselves. The thought of giving or letting go of "our" possessions, which we translate as letting go of ourselves, leaves us with the feeling that we will be less than we are now if we give. We could have all the possessions in the world and still feel poor.
Being rich is feeling rich. The next time you have a chance to give, in whatever way is best for you, do so from that place of richness and feel just how good feeling rich can be.
How the Right Kind of Giving Fuels You!
Giving is Giving - Right? Wrong! How do you know what the right kind of giving is? That is simple - the giving that has the most effect is that which fuels the giver as well as the receiver.
Some of you already know what kind of giving makes you feel great and you mainly stick to that. Wonderful, keep enjoying what you are doing. What about for those who aren't sure? First know that there are no mistakes, and second that there are many ways to give. You can give of your time, skills, knowledge, manpower, ideas, money or other resources. You just have to find the way that works for you. For anything you may have tried that wasn't right, it is not a mistake but a road sign pointing you in the right direction.
If you are giving of your time, know what it is that you like to do. Some people get involved in an organization or a cause and then think they are in the wrong place. When in fact they may be in the right place, just doing the wrong thing. Know what your skills are and what you have to offer, but also know what it is you like to do. For some people their skills, or what they are good at, and what they like to do are the same, for others, no. You may be good at keeping paper work in order, but dislike doing it and what you really like doing is writing. If you were to help an organization or cause handling paper work, you would become drained, not liking what you were doing and think that you were helping with the wrong thing, when actually you would just be helping in the wrong way. What ever it is you like to do and want to do, know that it can be used for a force for good and a way to give.
You are not always in a postition in your job to draft your own job description, but when it comes to what you give, you are. Create your own giving plan that adds zest to your life and joy to others. This is the high performance fuel you run best on and is the best quality giving.
Look at the Good Deeds on http://www.dosomethinggoodday.com/ and see which ones would fuel you!
Some of you already know what kind of giving makes you feel great and you mainly stick to that. Wonderful, keep enjoying what you are doing. What about for those who aren't sure? First know that there are no mistakes, and second that there are many ways to give. You can give of your time, skills, knowledge, manpower, ideas, money or other resources. You just have to find the way that works for you. For anything you may have tried that wasn't right, it is not a mistake but a road sign pointing you in the right direction.
If you are giving of your time, know what it is that you like to do. Some people get involved in an organization or a cause and then think they are in the wrong place. When in fact they may be in the right place, just doing the wrong thing. Know what your skills are and what you have to offer, but also know what it is you like to do. For some people their skills, or what they are good at, and what they like to do are the same, for others, no. You may be good at keeping paper work in order, but dislike doing it and what you really like doing is writing. If you were to help an organization or cause handling paper work, you would become drained, not liking what you were doing and think that you were helping with the wrong thing, when actually you would just be helping in the wrong way. What ever it is you like to do and want to do, know that it can be used for a force for good and a way to give.
You are not always in a postition in your job to draft your own job description, but when it comes to what you give, you are. Create your own giving plan that adds zest to your life and joy to others. This is the high performance fuel you run best on and is the best quality giving.
Look at the Good Deeds on http://www.dosomethinggoodday.com/ and see which ones would fuel you!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Ask High Quality Questions
I have heard it said that every time we ask a question the answer is already contained within the question. When I started asking high quality questions then I got answers that corresponded to the level of the question.
One such question I asked was, "What can I do to make a difference, where I am, with what I have?" The answer was really clear http://www.dosomethinggoodday.com/ The answer was concise and came pretty quick - I asked the question for just a couple of days. The answer was fast, but the doing took a little longer.
Over the course of a few months everything fell into place. I had the idea but didn't have the technical know how to create a website. I shared my idea with my cousin, Linda Symonds, who right from the start wanted to be involved in making a difference, and her first good deed on the project was a big one, she was the technical person and wonderfully put it all on the web. My many, many thanks.
The next time you are faced with a situation of any kind put some thought into the question and know that the answer is already in the question, waiting to unfold.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Welcome to Do Something Good Day
Welcome Everyone:
I have been so inspired by all the people out there who are doing good deeds and making a difference in the world, that I want to tell everyone about them. I have a website http://www.dosomethinggoodday.com/ where people enter their good deeds, but one website can't convery all the good that is being done.
This space allows me to tell you more about some of the good deeds being done around the world, the people who are making a difference, and how this is changing peoples lives. There will be other times when I will share with you "How To" tips, such as "How To Get Your Good Deeds to Have the Most Impact". I will also be including some fun things on here as well. We started http://www.dosomethinggoodday.com/ to help people make a difference in a way that is fun, rewarding and fulling. I want to enlarge upon that with this blog.
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Join me on this journey and together we can make a world of difference.
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