In our community and in our home, we set a challenge for ourselves to do good. Specifically our goal is to raise a large sum of money to support a cancer-focused charity that does work that directly impacts so many (details below). Here’s just a little of what have we learned so far (a summary version):
Giving feels good!
Whether it is giving time, money, outreach or a variety of other contributions, these efforts feel important, appreciated, and impactful. To illustrate, I’ve shared several notes our fundraising team lead received in response to our direct fundraising efforts. These notes, along with others we’ve received share sentiments about the important ways our efforts have touched others and also have the potential to make a significant difference to the world of many facing blood cancers.
Doing good begets doing good
The positive response to this work has certainly been encouraging and inspiring. The response from others and the feelings evoked from their responses have encouraged me to do more. It has motivated me to write this blog post and to think creatively about other ways I can help the team fundraise. One way I am doing so directly involves one journal I published in March 2020:
This journal directly ties into this theme of doing good. I wrote the journal for the purpose of benefiting those with cancer; Informed by many journaling workshops I had run, I wrote Reflections: A Journal Companion for those on the Cancer Journey to guide those on a cancer journey. But it was also published with the additional promise to directly share profits with cancer support organizations that directly address the emotional health needs of individuals affected by cancer.
I am proud to share that though March 11, 2022 I will be donating 100% of the sales of this journal ($18/ journal) to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help support those impacted by blood cancers. All sales will be directly donated to support the Student of the Year team I am supporting as a team member. If you know someone who may benefit from this resource right now, please take a look or share this link.
You feel like you’re doing good on the inside
While outside feedback inspires and motivates, at the core of it, it’s what is happening on the inside that we’ll always carry with us into the future. It builds confidence that we can make a difference. It reminds us that our efforts matter. The gift of giving and doing good is one that stays with us. I look forward to seeing how these experiences (as well as taking the time to reflect on them) will lead to our continued growth.