I feel it is my duty as a business owner, as well as a human, to be an example to others and live a mindful life. Part of that path involves giving back and being involved in charities that are making a difference in our world.
Lately there seems to be a shift in our world consciousness. We are caring for each other’s health, safety, life experience and general well being in a far greater way than ever before. This doesn’t apply to only our family or local community but across the globe to perfect strangers. Ah, what a lovely phrase, perfect strangers. They are quite perfect; simply another human on the other side of the globe or across town having an experience that is challenging, or maybe even impossible to survive, without our help.
Below is a list of organizations I contribute to and feel personally connected with. I respect them tremendously, I believe in their mission and I trust them implicitly. I encourage you to get involved this holiday season in any of the below or find some of your own that ring true to your heart. Maybe you feel connected to animals or our environment; whatever your choice you can’t go wrong.
So join me and go help a perfect stranger and know that you are making a difference in someone’s life.

I love this organization because I can go on their website and choose what I want to get involved with, how I want to help, and what is going on in the world at that exact moment that needs support.

http://www.globalgiving.org

I have been involved with this organization since it began. The foundation of their company is simply genius. You donate money to individuals, mostly from third world countries that need help with their existing businesses or assistance with beginning a business. This is a truly empowering way to loan money because you are helping people create a life to provide for themselves. The loan gets paid back to you and you re-loan to someone else in need. It is a fantastic way to pay it forward; it just keeps going and going.

http://www.kiva.org

I became involved with this charity after hurricane Katrina. I felt so helpless and wanted to get on a plane and be there to physically do something. They assist communities with problems relating to natural and man-made disasters and chronic poverty. Again, you can choose where you would like your money to go.

Wouldn’t you like to give a well to someone for the holidays? This one is a no brainer too. Water should be a God given right and sadly isn’t for many. This is a wonderful organization that makes giving easy and gets your whole community involved. I can’t say enough about them; wonderful people, beautiful mission, altruistic intentions. We are blessed to have so many people committing their life to helping others.

http://www.generositywater.com

This last one is very near and dear to my heart because I consider Thich Nhat Hahn to be one of my teachers in life and I have been reading his works for decades and supporting his foundation since it began. His approach is stated beautifully in his tag line, ‘planting seeds of compassion’. That is exactly what he has dedicated his life to. His foundation helps feed the hungry, bring mindfulness practices to our schools, provide food, education, shelter and medical care to people in need and much more.

http://www.thichnhathanhfoundation.org/#!ways-to-give-2/c203q