I have been humbled. There have been numerous times in the past several weeks that I have been taken down a notch when presented with the good works that others are doing. My father calls it ‘gettin too big for your britches’. I call it laziness and arrogance. Just when I think I am doing such an awesome job of doing all these wonderful things and helping all these people, I am reminded of just how much more there is to do and how little I really am doing. I suppose this is God’s way of shaking me.
For example, I recently watched the keynote address of Scott Harrison, Founder of the “Charity: Water” organization, at the LeWeb 2012 Conference. You can watch it here: http://youtu.be/XLdDMDkwK1s but I must warn you. You’ll come away from that with an overwhelming sense that you aren’t doing enough. I also recently heard the story of how Danny Thomas founded the St. Jude Children’s hospital in Memphis, TN, and if his story of struggle, dedication and inspiration doesn’t move you, well, I don’t know what would.
I am often asked by businesses to help them use technology and social media to grow their business and achieve success. And there are many things that I can do to help them do that. But at some point I believe that all those who achieve success need to turn their thoughts to how they can then help others.
So maybe now it’s time. It’s time for you and your business to look beyond the current whirlwind of deadlines, problems, and challenges that are ever-present, and spend just a moment thinking about what you can do for someone else. There are over 1.5 million charities in the U.S. alone, so there is probably one right around the corner from you. But I would like to suggest my favorite 3 charitable organizations if you need help picking one…
Rotary International – as a Rotarian, I am proud to be part of an organization who took as its challenge almost 25 years ago to rid the planet of polio. Now, a billion dollars later, that challenge is almost complete. In just a few more years, polio will be thrown upon the trash heap of history. So find a local club near you and get involved.
Charity: Water – Not many charities display as much openness, transparency, and integrity as Charity: Water. 100% of what you give goes toward their mission of providing clean water to the over 800 million people on the planet who don’t have clean water. Watch the keynote by Scott Harrison that I linked above to see what I am talking about. Your money is in good hands with them.
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital – Their mission is simple: no family with a sick child will ever pay one dime for any treatment. And that’s what they do. In fact, they don’t have a billing department because they have never sent a bill to one single family. Ever. If ever there is a place on this earth where God lives, it’s here. Give to them.
There you have it. If you don’t like any of those charitable organizations, pick another one. But whatever you do, give something. It’s time.
