The Causes That Make My Heart Sing

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Alex Shalman started a writing project called Caring Compassion Charity where each person tagged is to write about a cause they feel passionate about. I was tagged by Priscilla Palmer and Jean Browman at the Cheerful Monk. Much appreciated!

There are two causes close to my heart: 1) Tibetan Children 2) Empowering People

Tibetan Children – The Story

I spent a month last year traveling in Tibet. The journey was a life altering one. My experience moved my life focus inwards and lead to a series of events that triggered my understanding of ‘Happiness‘. I learned many lessons from the pilgrims, lamas, and street children I connected with throughout my journey. It became clear to me that one can be truly happy with no external possessions, and that the kindness within you can never be taken away. I was quickly moved by their lives of devotion, compassion and simplicity. Their generosity and consideration towards all people deeply touched me. I have never felt so loved by a group of strangers, and met a happy group of people who lived on so little.

With the invasion of their homeland, and the current suppression of their spiritual practice by the Chinese government, their culture is in exile. Public schools are run by the government, where the tuition is as high as the typical income for a Tibetan family. Not only is the price of attendance out of reach, but the education system does not teach Tibetan. The majority of Tibetan children are not schooled. Those children that have the privilege of an education are offered no education opportunities past middle school. Most children are illiterate. They grow up as labor workers, or as peasants on the street haggling travelers and selling souvenirs. The result? Tiny wages, a sense of self-inadequacy, and the cycle repeats.

My cause is to help these children get an education, undo the cycle, and feel empowered. My short term contribution is donating 5% of everything I make towards supporting another child inside Tibet (either orphans, or farmer parents with almost no money). Did you know that it takes only one dollar a day to support a child with clean clothes, food in their bellies, a bed to sleep in, school supplies and an education?

My long term plan is to opening several Tibetan-run schools that teach not only Tibetan culture, but the principles of success (ie. Napolean Hill‘s materials).

• Interested in lending a helping hand? Here’s a link to sponsor a small child.
• Photos? Here’s a series of Portraits I captured during this time.

Empowering People

My personal mission is to “Empower, Motivate and Inspire People to Living more Fulfilled Lives“. I want to help those struggling to free themselves from the limitations of fear, of self-imposed constraints, of poverty, of stress, of inertia and boredom…. to living a life of bliss, peace, health, wealth, contribution, love and true happiness.

This blog exists as part of this mission, where I share my experiences and what worked for me. I have several projects underway for the next year related to this mission. In the long term, I will be creating personal development programs specifically for children, making the programs very affordable and accessible. Have you ever wished that you were blessed with self-empowering knowledge and self-actualizing understanding earlier in life? I do. I would have under gone much less ‘un-learning‘.