“For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.”
― Sam Levenson
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.”
― Sam Levenson
What is a Philanthropist? That's easy. A philanthropist is someone who practices philanthropy. Ok, that was a cheat answer. Now here is one that will actually explain what I just said.
PHILANTHROPY (as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary of the American Language)
phi·lan·thro·py
n. pl.phi·lan·thro·pies
1. The effort or inclination to increase the well-being of humankind, as by charitable aid or donations.
2. Love of humankind in general.
3. Something, such as an activity or institution, intended to promote human welfare.
In a nutshell, a philanthropist is someone, who through acts of charity, shows a helpful kindness to their fellow mankind. Whether by donating money, possessions, their time and sometimes it can even be as simple as kind words.
No matter an individuals situation, everyone can use a little philanthropy in their life. However, there are those that can use it more than others. One simple charitable push, can be the spark that propels someone towards a brighter future. Our lives can be controlled by unfortunate circumstances if we allow it to happen. Some may accept what appears to be and never realize that with just a little effort, the 'appears to be' is just one of many options. There is so much potential in every human life that so many never get the opportunity to experience.
“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
― John Holmes
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
― John Bunyan
I've recently been introduced to an organization that is trying to create that spark in individuals through a very original approach. The organizations name is Christmas 14. You can check out what they're all about here:
But basically, this is a brief description of what their goal is.
The Christmas Fourteen project was established to change just a little part of our world. It is our goal to help facilitate placing students, who wouldn’t normally be able to afford it, into an accepted and participating martial arts program. To impact the lives of those that might not normally be able to experience the gift of martial arts. To help provide the world with strong, responsible, productive, driven, and disciplined people that possess the necessary elements of integrity: all the qualities that breed success.
Through the aid of participating martial arts academies and the philanthropy of others, Christmas 14 will change lives and the futures of deserving individuals who may not have otherwise had the chance to meet their fullest potential.
Christmas 14 was created by Sean Patrick Flanery, actor and Black Belt Martial artist. His determination to help others achieve more from life is seen in not only his Twitter feed ( @seanflanery ) but in his blog as well ( http://www.shineuntiltomorrow.com/ ). His compassion for helping others has developed him a following , affectionately known as the Twempire. Sean's Twempirians have, through him, banded together supporting one another in reaching what many of them believed to be "unobtainable goals".
In support of Sean's efforts, a fundraiser was started to help raise funds for Christmas 14. A T-shirt was designed by the creator of Sean's Internet fan page ( http://www.twempiriansunite.com/ ) and on Twitter ( @twempirians) The shirt sells for $25 and $15 of each shirt sold goes directly to the Christmas 14 project.
There is a problem though. There is a 100 shirt minimum on the sale. At this moment, 55 shirts have been reserved. If the goal of 100 shirts is not reached by August 11th, there will be none sold. All the orders already placed will be cancelled and the project gets nothing.
So what I'm asking is that anyone reading this blog, go check out Christmas 14. Read Sean's blog. Take a look at the Tshirt pictured below. If you like it...Click the link http://teespring.com/twempirians If you think it's a good cause...Click the link http://teespring.com/twempirians . If you believe we can help make a difference in a deserving but less fortunate individuals life.... Click the link and please buy one.
