Thursday Two Questions Meme - Holiday Season Giveaway

I went to my local neighborhood mall yesterday to wander around and see the Christmas tree.  The stores were buzzing with excitement with lines of people checking off their holiday lists and children running around playing with motorized cars and toys.  

What really struck me was the fact that Santa was all alone for a very long time.  He looks pretty lonely there doesn't he?

I watched him for a little while, while taking shots of the mall decorations.  I thought to myself maybe I should go sit on his lap and tell him what I want for Christmas.  I actually thought it would be kind of fun until I realized that when asking myself what I wanted for Christmas, my mind went completely blank.  Why? It's because I have all I want and need.  There is absolutely nothing I want.

For me, especially this year giving is much more important than receiving.  I have always considered holidays such as Christmas, Valentines Day etc... as an excuse for retailers to make "the big bucks."  My philosophy is and always has been, if you want to give and show those you love just how much you love them, why wait for a holiday.  Give when the mood strikes.

I observed a couple in Williams Sonoma with a holiday list who were holiday shopping. They spent part of their time arguing over what they should buy and loud enough for all of us to hear.  I know they were not the only ones in that situation. 

Giving should not be obligatory.  It should come from the heart with compassion and love.  When it is obligatory it is not really giving.  

I have learned so much and been inspired by Steve Ketchpel's latest book on donating and volunteering titled GIVING BACK that I will be giving away a copy of his book and a $25.00 KIVA.org  gift card to one of you.  You have until Monday, December 10th to answer these two questions and I will choose a winner on that same day.  I will notify the winner on Dec. 10th  The Kiva gift card can be used to fund a loan on the Kiva.org website.  If you live outside the US you have the option of receiving the Kiva gift card by email and Steve's book by kindle edition.

1.  What would you ask for this holiday season?

2.  Why?

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Thursday Two Questions Meme - Giving Back

Giving Back @ Amazon

Giving Back @ Createspace 

Today I want to talk about volunteering and donating.  I grew up in a large family, Mom, Dad, me and three younger Brothers.  Giving back was instilled in us at an early age.  We were not rich by any stretch of the imagination and my parents always had to cut corners in order to make ends meet.  They scrimped and saved in order to send us all to Catholic school where they felt we would receive a good education - and we did.  I remember at a young age when we were all asked by my parents to give of our toys and used clothes to the community where less fortunate children could benefit from what we had.  We were always taught that whatever we had should be shared even though we did not have much.  I remember thousands of times my Mom would literally empty her wallet of bills and her coin purse of coins to help us and others.  These memories have always stayed with me.

Over the years I have always donated to causes which were important to me and gave what I could afford.  I however always felt that I wanted a more "hands on" experience donating my skills and time in order to help causes in which I felt most passionate.

As most of you know I now work at the Botanical Gardens which is a non profit organization and although I am a paid employee there I felt that I wanted to do much more.  I see volunteers, hundreds of them daily who help as docents, help in gardening, help with teaching children etc...  I wanted to do the same and to be honest was reluctant because I am a paid employee there and there are few of us who are on paid staff.  As a result I never did anything about this burning need in my heart to donate my time to them.

As it turns out, I found out that my friend Steve Ketchpel had just authored a new book titled "Giving Back" which focuses on volunteering and donating.  I contacted Steve and asked him if I could buy an autographed copy from him of which he graciously signed and sent to me.

Once I started reading this detailed guidebook, I could not put it down.  After only three chapters I was finally able to take my first step by going through the appropriate volunteer application procedure at the gardens and was granted a one day per week volunteer gig which I begin on Friday of this week.  I was so excited I could hardly breathe.  I never would have taken that step had I not read Steve's book, Giving Back.

After reading his book I also decided that KIVA was an organization I felt worthy and excited about donating my money.  I like the idea of helping those less fortunate realizing their dreams and KIVA is the perfect fit for me.  

This is one of the most detailed books I have ever read.  It guides you along the path to volunteering and donating with helpful exercises, concise and practical tools along with inspirational stories of others who have made a difference applying their skills and donating their time to the worthy causes that are important to them.

This book employs everything from the basics of getting started to finding your niche, the how to's of researching different organizations to starting your own non profit and much more...  Giving Back is a learning experience combined with an inspirational outlook that will answer any questions you may have about volunteering and donating.  Once I finished reading this book there were no questions in my mind about what I had to do.  I say had because I always wanted to do something but did not really know where to start or what to do until I read this book.  

I also want to mention that this book is a guide for families as well as individuals.  There are many exercises geared directly towards families and children.  

To purchase a copy of this book, you can use either the Amazon or Createspace links under the book cover shown above.

Now, to my two ?'s.

1.  Do you or have you ever volunteered?

2.  Which causes or you most passionate about?

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