Personal Development & Community: Charity

Why do you want to do this?

Every year, around New Years, my kids and I try to take on a charity project for that year in an effort to leave this wonderful world a bit better than when we found it (as well as try and combat the over-commercialization of Christmas). Well, this year I remembered how a friend of mine spent 2 years in the Andes. She was amazed at the level of poverty that exists in that region. I have always remembered her stories and thought that if I ever make it over there, I would try and help somehow. Well, I'm planning a trip to Peru with my kids and one of the places we're going to be is in the Peruvian Andes. The more I talk with organizations over there the more I see what incredible need there is especially when it comes to children. So I, armed with my new-found sense of purpose (and trying not to gripe about the fact that I still haven't won the lottery...not sure what's up with that), decided to make 60 (what am I thinking???) blankets. That's how many street kids are in one of the impoverished orphanages there. Don't worry, Martha Stewart, I have no intention of upstaging you in the craftiness department. I do not sew...so these blankets are going to be quilt-tied blankets made out of fleece. I mean really, who doesn't love fleece?!

What three things will you need to make this happen?

Time...which is a precious commodity.

Money, with which I seem to have this on-going love/hate relationship.

Focus. A little-known (more well-known now) secret about me is that I'm somewhat of a Raven. I start a project with such gusto, but can be easily distracted the minute someone waves a shiny object in front of my face. So, I must remain committed to seeing this through.

What is the biggest barrier to your achieving this?