It's So Easy To Make A Big Difference

In 1976 Professor Muhammad Yunus met some entrepreneurs in rural Bangladesh. When he learned that only a few dollars could make the difference between constant struggling and supporting themselves and their families with ease, Professor Yunus founded the Grameen Bank, a micro-financing organization that made small loans to the impoverished without requiring collateral.

I heard about this initiative when Professor Yunus and the Bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, and I loved the idea. Giving people in developing nations the means to create better lives for themselves seemed to me to have so many positives. From the sustainable income and tangible assets these entrepreneurs create to the self-esteem and peer respect they enjoy, micro-financing is such a constructive way to make a lasting difference for distant members of our world community.

Needless to say, I was very excited when I learned about Kiva.org. It’s a web-based organization through which individuals can support entrepreneurs in the developing world. The website features profiles of entrepreneurs, describing their business and the purpose for which the loan is requested. Lenders can make loans for as little as $25US through Paypal and track their loans and the entrepreneurs they are supporting. The profiles are both inspiring and humbling – it’s amazing to see how a small amount of my money can have a life-changing impact on someone else’s life. I currently support three projects and plan to add more in the future.

Kiva.org is a beautiful demonstration of the power of giving people a “hand up” rather than a handout. It recognizes the ability and drive of entrepreneurs in developing countries and acknowledges that they have what they need to be successful, except for a small infusion of cash. Kiva also shrinks the world by allowing people who live in the world of internet access and on-line banking to touch the lives of individuals who live simpler but no less important lives.

Take a look at the Kiva.org website. You’ll be inspired by the initiative of the entrepreneurs and the commitment of the lenders to make a difference. It’s another example of how really connected we are on this planet, despite the distances and the vastly different financial situations.

Happy Earth Day!

This is the day on which we acknowledge the amazing gift we have in this beautiful planet and take time to think about our role as stewards of the environment and the earth. We’ll hear much today about the impact we have on the planet and the things we can do to contribute to a greener, healthier, less toxic world in the future. It’s a day about raising awareness and taking action. Earth Day Canada has identified the Top Ten things we can do to make a difference for the environment http://www.earthday.ca/pub/resources/top10.php. Most of them are relatively easy changes we can make that add up to a huge difference for the planet. You’ll probably look at the list and see that you already do several. I believe that the challenge of today is to find a way to do more, to add one more action to the list of things you do for the environment. Is there something on the list you could incorporate into your life?

On January 1, 2007, I stopped using drive-thrus. I decided that I wasn’t willing to continue releasing emissions from my car as it sat waiting to get my caffeine fix. Of course it’s inconvenient sometimes but it’s a tangible thing I can do that makes a small difference. I believe that as more people refuse to leave their car idling for more that ten seconds, a significant impact will be made on the planet.

This Earth Day, I am going to switch gas companies from the old traditional kind to a company that supplies carbon-free power from emissions-free sources such as wind power and low-impact water power. http://www.bullfrogpower.com/ I’m also going to schedule an energy audit to get suggestions from a professional on how we might make our home more energy efficient.

Go On A Retreat!

In her bestselling memoir Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert describes a silent retreat on a tiny island near Bali. She created a space of solitude and introspection in which she could journal, cry, forgive, release and love herself into feeling more whole and balanced in the midst of a difficult divorce.

Like Elizabeth, I took a retreat that allowed me to look deeply at my life, acknowledge some truths and recommit to what is important to me. I returned from my retreat feeling lighter and more centred, deeply grateful for my blessings in my life and committed to focusing on the things that are most important to me. Here are tips for creating a silent retreat for yourself:

You’ve got to get away. No matter how you try to get around it, home is home and it’s full of things that will distract you from the complete attention you need. A cottage in off-season, a retreat centre, an island off Bali…whatever it is, find a place where you can completely focus on yourself and not your to-do list.

Make it silent. Limit your interaction with the outside world, including television, radio, internet, your e-mail inbox. Even limit phone calls to loved ones. The purpose is to focus on yourself and you can’t do that if you’re checking in with the world all the time. They’ll get by just fine without you.

Surrender. If you’re expecting wonderful things to happen, create room for them to occur. Whatever name you use -- God, Spirit, the Universe, the Higher Power – give It room to work by being willing to experience shifts and blessings.

Be active rather than passive. Reading books may give you insight but reading, which is passively taking in ideas, has to be balanced with the more active work of writing, thinking deeply and doing activities you may have chosen for yourself.

Write. If you use a journal, you know that journalling has the power to take less-than-positive thoughts and turn them around to show a more empowering perspective. You can also use a journal to empty your mind of the incessant chatter so that you can think without distraction. If you haven’t used a journal before try it. If you have, count on it being an important resource during your retreat.

Forgive. This huge step reaps deep rewards. I had a powerful experience under the late-night sky. In my mind, I had a conversation with each person I wanted to forgive. Then I chose a bright star on which to bury my grievances. I imagined the love that exists in the relationship reflecting back to me from the star and I felt peace and completion. Don’t forget to include yourself on the list of people to forgive.

Use rituals to support your experience. Just as using the stars supported my forgiveness, choose rituals that will work for you. Burning can be a powerful ritual of release – write out anything you want to release (situations, limiting beliefs) and then burn them. Native Indians have many rituals you may wish to consider including in your retreat.

Do You have a Bucket List?

Did you see “The Bucket List” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman? It’s about two hospital roommates with little time to live who take off on an odyssey to cross items off the list of things they want to do before they “kick the bucket.” They travel to Egypt, Europe and Japan to see the sights they’ve always longed to see. While the landmarks are awe-inspiring, the men realize that what they really long for is deeper connections with the people who are most important to them – family.

Whatever you call it – bucket list, life’s goals or personal intentions – making a list of things you want to accomplish in your lifetime is a valuable practice in getting clear about what’s most important to you. While the list may be generously sprinkled with “dream items” such as trips, adventures and possessions, if you take your time, you’ll find that your list will also reveal some of the qualities of you want to cultivate. For example, my list, which I started in 2000, includes being a really good cook and owning a convertible sports car. These define the way I want to live my life rather than how I want to spend my vacation.

Here are some tips for creating a meaningful “Bucket List:”

Indulge all of the things you want to do. Surely you’ve thought of some great vacations you’d like to take. Tuscany? An African safari? The Grand Canyon? Maybe you want to become a millionaire, run a marathon or start your own business? These are do-goals – based on you doing things to achieve the intention. Many of the things on your list will fall into this category. It’s a great place to start.

Next look at have-goals. What are the objects you’d like to own? The sports car, the beach house, the fabulous jewellery, a great stamp collection are things and have-goals are about getting them. What an awesome future you’re creating for yourself!

Then consider be-goals. How do you want to show up in the world? Do you want to be remembered for your integrity? Is it important to be the kind of parent who shows up at all the soccer games? Do you want to be incredibly fit all through your life? Who do you want to be? For me, it’s important that I am a part of the lives of my nephews and nieces – I want to be an influence and a blessing in their live.

Once you’ve created a “first draft,” leave your list for a few days and then review it to see if you have anything else to add. Really get into the process and imagine what it take to be satisfied that you had lived a good life? This is just you dreaming on paper so really get into it! If you give it some time, you may be surprised what emerges.

Choose an item or two on your list to be the first ones you will cross off. Could you get started on the stamp collection, begin a business plan for your business, plan your next vacation to one of the places on your list?

Review the list every once in a while to see how you’re doing and add new things that have become important to you. If you do an end-of-the year review and goal setting, that would be an excellent time.

Consider working with a coach. Creating the life of your dreams is not as easy as it sounds. There can be fear associated with some of the things on your list and it may be difficult to find time for some of the others. A coach can help you stay focused on the projects you’ve identified as important to you.

Don’t wait until you’re faced with the prospect of the impending end of your life to start to cross things off The Bucket List.