Luck is kindof a relative thing. (Yes, Mom, if you're reading, I know kindof is not a real word!) What might seem an unlucky negative at first might actually wind up being a very lucky good thing in retrospect. The only example I can think of right now is missing your flight only to find out later that the plane crashed. Okay, that's maybe a little extreme but that's all I can come up with and since I actually should be working right now I'm gonna run with it.
My point here is that it's all too easy to get into the mindset where you think your luck's been crap, you've been dealt a few unlucky breaks, or you're due for some good luck. There's no judgment here, we all do it, right? Just a fact of life. It's often too easy to focus on the crap that's gone wrong instead of the stuff that's gone right.
I've been guilty of that. Yeah, the second half of 2014 has not been blissful, to say the least, but you know what? It could have been worse. I'm reminded of that every time I read the paper, watch the news, or talk to people and find out what kind of crap they're dealing with. So, instead of focusing on the bad luck, I'm gonna try to make some good luck.
We just had Thanksgiving, the holiday where we give thanks for what we have. We are now heading into the season of giving, or the season of credit card debt, however you want to look at it. With that in mind, and as a means of recognizing how truly lucky I am and honoring that, I am donating to a worthy cause every day during the month of December. The donation may not be much, because I'm no Bill Gates (seriously, if I was, I probably wouldn't be writing this blog post, I'd be out playing with my 500 horses on my farm the size of Long Island) but every little bit helps, right?
I'm asking for your help. Not to give money, but to offer a suggestion if you know of a worthy cause, one where the money actually goes those who need it. Doesn't have to be horse related. I mean, there are a lot of well known organizations that I can think of to donate to - RED, Habitat for Humanity, Water.org, and Heifer International come to mind ( I cannot WAIT to say I've given someone a goat!) However, I'd like to support some of the organizations close to the hearts of the folks who have supported me (that'd include you guys, just in case you missed that). So if you know of something, please pass it along in the COMMENT section below. I can't guarantee I'll be donating to every organization that's suggested, but it would be good to know of as many options as possible.
Thanks in advance for your help!
We tend to donate in anonymous ways to avoid all the junk mail. Once you do donate and they get your address or phone number, charities becomes pests and you quickly realize that all of your money went to sending out solicitations rather than directly to the cause you hoped to support. I like to donate at registers. I love programs in supermarkets where you can donate a couple of bags of food to the needy. Or sometimes I just go out looking for someone in need, and help them out on a more personal level without the middle man of an organization.
ReplyDeleteI loved it last year when shoppers were paying off layaways for others. They didnt know anything about who they helped, but they just made someones holidays so much sweeter. Random acts like that are quite powerful.
ReplyDeleteMidwest Horse Welfare Foundation and Victory Reins Therapeutic Riding Center. On a national level I love Make A Wish! Festin is a MHWF alumni and Victory Reins does some amazing things!
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are a million and one charities that are in need especially this time of the year and writing a check or whipping out a card is the quickest thing to do. I decided that this year I am going to roll up my sleeves and physically help out, live in person. Signed up to clean stalls at a therapy barn, walks dogs at the shelter, cook and serve at a soup kitchen. Still looking for more to do....
ReplyDeleteI did RED recently, and think that is a great organization. Something local here (which may not be interesting to you) is Austin Pets Alive. They are the reason Austin, Texas is a no kill city and adopt out hundreds and hundreds of shelter dogs and cats.
ReplyDeleteI did a roundup of some of my favorite horse-related charities here: http://beljoeor.blogspot.com/2014/12/giving-tuesday-horse-related-causes-to.html
ReplyDeleteAnd I would be remiss if I did not suggest donating to your local historical society or museum. We wouldn't get to do what we love without community support. :D
great perspective and post. i work in the fundraising industry, so i tend to believe *most* causes are pretty worthy and that any generosity is appreciated. my personal causes tend to be related to education and providing opportunity
ReplyDeleteHope for Paws. I give them pretty much all my spare money. Don't watch their rescue videos without a box of tissues handy though.
ReplyDeleteAlso Xanthus Horse Rescue in NJ.
World Vets!
ReplyDeleteEvery year I donate to New Vocations -- a local OTTB rescue
ReplyDeleteYou should think about donating to Deaf Dogs Rock (deafdogsrock.com or check out their Facebook). They are an AMAZING organization that helps network deaf dogs in shelters to help find them homes. I LOVE my deaf dog and their resources were a great help to me when I first got her and they also help sponsor dogs who need homes by providing money for medical care or adoption fees. You should really check them out.
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