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Black Friday / Cyber Monday Aftermath

November 30, 2010 in Causes, Culture, Toys with 0 Comments

8 A Child Spreads the Message

Photo by ianqui

Now that both are over, here are my spoils from of the busiest shopping days of the year:

  1. Music.  Lots o’ music.
    Pink Floyd, Kutless, Train, Relient K, Mariah Carey, John Legend and The Roots…make yourselves at home.
  2. Donations to Gifts of Water and Charity: Water.
    Joined some artists and gave over twice of what I paid for in songs shopping.

If we’re honest with ourselves, a lot of  this American holiday weekend is about consuming. I mean more than just food. And I know I did more than my share of it a few years back…

But this year, I’m asking myself…

…what if I gave more than what I take?

…what if instead of always consuming,  what can I be producing?

…what if instead of adding more stuff, I can be creating change…and saving lives?

In a year with it’s ups and downs, I want to leave my mark on 2010. To make it more than just me.

You can leave one too.

Try it.  Give it a shot.

There’s 31 days left.  Let’s make it about others.

Day 24 and counting

March 16, 2010 in Being Real, Causes with 5 Comments

No, I’m not making any reference to my favorite TV show, “24″. Though last night’s kick-butt episode does warrant the mention…:-)  I’m expecting an even better second half.

I’m actually here to give an update on the past three weeks and change of drinking only water for this cause.  Here’s my profound assessment.

It’s. Hard.

It’s hard…to say no to my favorite drinks and in turn, watch my friends downed them in front of me (not to annoy me, mind you)
It’s hard…to see how much I can spend on any given week for myself, the things I like.
It’s hard…to see how rich I really am when seeing people in Uganda drinking water that is foul and polluted.  All in pictures and all behind the comforts of my Macbook Pro.
It’s hard…to tell friends this big story I’m taking part in — only to hear them say, “that’s nice” and then go about their own business.
It’s hard…to know that it only takes ONE DOLLAR to give a child ONE YEAR’s worth of CLEAN water and yet, we (including I) actually need to THINK about spending this buck.


Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

It’s just hard like that.

To be honest, I don’t really care if anyone matches the money I saved, let alone joins this cause. Because it’s not about me.

What matters to me is when we can just stop and think, for this moment now…a simple need is out there and we can can meet it in way that doesn’t need to cost us much.

Just go and give a $1 to help someone with a year’s clean water.

You don’t have to attach my name to any donation you make.

It’s better that way.
Albert

How water plays a bigger story

February 17, 2010 in Causes with 2 Comments

I was swinging by Costco for lunch today.  I got my pizza slices, say a quick prayer and took a bite. Delicious.  I was thinking, “Man, wouldn’t a Coke or Berry Smoothie be about awesome right now?  I mean, seriously.  You know, a little citric acid or fruity drink to help down this sucker?  Such a nice day in the 80s, and I’ve been working hard all morning.”

I was about standing on my feet and thinking really loud. The old ladies next to me were shifting away from this maniac.
“Come on, I SO NEED a COLD DRINK NOW.  BRING IT!!”

Okay, I may have exaggerated that last part. But the thirst was still there.

Let me explain. I’m participating in this cause called 40 Days of Water. It’s really simple. For the season of Lent, you drink only water as your beverage and 40 days later, you donate all the money you would have spent on beverages to help build clean water projects for communities in Uganda.

Simple cause with tremendous results for good, but not so easy to start. My throat was whining for something else.  Something more satisfying than the water in my tiny cup.

In the midst of my self-centeredness and complaining, I felt like if I listened to God, if I told Him how I was feeling, He might say something different.  He might say:

“Not easy, is it?  You’ve given up things in the past, but they were all for YOU. I’m going to use this cause to help you see Lent differently. You’re gonna see the bigger story I’m telling through people who can’t even afford clean water to drink.  In fact, in anything you do, it should be part of a bigger story than yourself. The only kind I would author and make perfect.”

I think this is true. I think that when we give up things solely for ourselves, we’re missing out on the bigger picture that includes other people. After all, Jesus didn’t came to be sacrificed only for himself.  It was for the greater world that was once sparkling and clear, and now redeemed in His love.

I don’t know if/what you’re giving up this Lenten season.  I don’t know if you’re giving up a bad habit or TV or Facebook (some might consider this to be a three-way tie). But I’m starting to think that our sacrifices are really opportunities we have to reach out to others. Less of us, more of God and touching people’s lives.

That afternoon, I finished my pizza with cold water.  And it tasted pretty good too.