| Happy Friday
When I sold my house and 99% of everything in it and left Connecticut to live full-time in my RV I also left my positions on several boards. It was part of my transition. I needed to be fully flexible and that meant fewer obligations.
The upside was far less meetings, fundraising events, and everything else that comes with being on a board of directors. I didn’t think about a potential downside – how it would emotionally affect me.
Lack of purpose
There is incredible power in helping other people. The feeling you get when you know your time, money, and/or energy is helping someone else – potentially changing their life.
I realized by removing myself from all that non-profit activity created a sense of loss.
How to honor YOU and OTHERS in a magical balance.
If you haven’t watched the Thursday Club video from yesterday – GRAB IT HERE.
I dove deep into letting go of trying to please others – and the guilt that surrounds it. In the past, I would sign up for boards, fundraisers, and events because I was asked to do so. Many of those things didn’t fuel my soul. They became a chore versus a gift to me.
The magic happens when you find a purpose that serves others in a meaningful way AND also serves you. Same as careers, customers, spouses, and friends – when you can serve them AND you at the same level – you’ve grabbed the golden ring.
I challenge you during this holiday season to find that purpose – maybe it’s delivering food to a pantry, volunteering at a soup kitchen, raising money for a local arts association, tutoring a child for a working parent – whatever it is should warm your heart while you are doing it. You should look forward to it.
I spent some time thinking about things in my past that just made me smile – perhaps it will inspire you to do the same:
- After the Sandy Hook tragedy in CT there was a movement happening to honor the 26 people that died. I took 26 envelopes and put a $10 dollar bill in each – with a note saying you are #1 in honoring those who died – please pay it forward with a random act of kindness. (2-26 followed) . I put the envelopes on random windshields in the Target parking lot. Then sat and watched people open them. It was one of my favorite days!
- Stockings for the homeless. My sister runs the local soup kitchen – so we called and asked how many homeless clients she served. Dave and I went to Walmart and bought stockings, blankets, socks, and toiletries along with a Dunkin gift card. We filled the stockings, put on Santa hats, and delivered the goodies along with a bunch of cookies. The smiles were priceless.
- Pay for someone’s groceries. This is one of my favs – pick a random person and just pay for their groceries. Or leave envelopes with money on the grocery shelves. Don’t pre-judge who gets them – just randomly give.
When you open your heart to others – amazing things happen in return. I believe in Karma and the Law of Attraction – you can believe whatever you like. In the end – it WILL warm your soul to help a random stranger.
Try it. Let me know how it goes!
Big Love and Happy Turkey Day!!!
Cindy |
