The Causes That Make My Heart Sing

16 Comments

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‘.

I Tag (instructions here):

• Leo at Zen Habits
• Marina at Sufficient Thrust
• Ravi at Set Higher Standards
• Lawrence at LawrenceCheok.com
• Tim at Four Hour Work Week
• Sam at Acquire Wisdom
• Paul at Success Current
• Galba at Tune up you EQ
• Craig at A Search For (My) Life
• Lorie at Living Order
• Albert at Urban Monk
• Lyman at Creating a Better Life

What is your Cause? Please share in comments below.

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16 Responses (12 Comments, 4 Trackbacks ):

Comments

1. Abe

   Oct 19 07, 7:14 pm PDT

   1

   I have heard the sufferings of the Tibetan people from a professor in Kunming Province whom I met in Cambodia for a conference on land rights. Writing about them will make other people know the people in Tibet, however peaceful they are, are suffering from neglect. This is timely!

2. Lawrence Cheok

   Oct 19 07, 9:20 pm PDT

   2

   Hi Tina,

   thanks for the tag. I have done my ‘homework’ that you have assigned ;-)

   I am inspired by your aspirations. Sometimes, your positivity and energy puts me to shame; It’s a BIG reminder for me to love life. Thanks!

3. Tina Su

   Oct 20 07, 1:09 am PDT

   3

   Aww.. Thank you Lawrence. I wouldn’t say that it puts you to shame. We all bring different energy. We’re all here for different purposes and we all have our unique gifts. You are an inspiration too for what you’re trying to do. Thank you again for sharing!

   Tina

4. Angela

   Oct 20 07, 6:48 pm PDT

   4

   This was inspiring Tina. I couldn’t agree more on ‘un-learning’ to self-empowerment and self-actualization. As we grow we are constantly finding ways of ‘un-learning’ what we already know to understand why we do the things we do and how we can be everything that we already are without struggling with self-conflict. Seems you are further along your way to self empowerment than you wished…thanks for this great read :)

5. Tina Su

   Oct 20 07, 8:46 pm PDT

   5

   Thanks Ange! I love reading your words and thank you again for your encouragement. I look forward in seeing our respective personal growth progress over the more years to come. :)

6. The Clutter Diet Blog: What Makes My Heart Sing

   Oct 21 07, 11:00 am PDT

   6

   […]Think Simple. Be Decisive[…]

7. Galba Bright at Tune up your EQ

   Oct 21 07, 6:21 pm PDT

   7

   Hello Tina:

   Thanks for sharing your passionate causes. Your photo album is evocative. I’m glad for the tag, however I’ve already written about my passion after Priscilla Palmer tagged me. My passion is Emotional Intelligence and I’ve committed to writing an article series about early childhood education. I’d love to hve yout thoughts given your passion for children. I’ll contact you once I’ve mapped out my initial ideas.

8. Time to make a stand and change your life - Memes and Homework

   Oct 21 07, 6:26 pm PDT

   8

   […]Causes that make my heart sing[…]

9. Corgalt

   Nov 05 07, 3:48 am PST

   9

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10. Jonathan Mead

    Feb 20 08, 12:52 pm PST

    10

    Thank you for sharing your inspiration with us Tina. I’ve recently starting being a more active contributor to environmental awareness, through organizations and being more conscious of my own actions. In line with your goal to empower others, I would like to inspire others to realize their and express their authenticity. =)

11. Qleyo

    Mar 12 08, 3:44 am PDT

    11

    Very much like you - the essence of what makes my heart kick is also empowering people. My country has a population of over 140million people, I can’t change the word but every little counts and 140million people - with passion and patriotism - is a very big start.

    My country needs to be have a new light shed on it. Nigeria has become unfairly synonymous with scamming and disjoint leadership. We are such a creative people with a rich history in art (we came out with some techniques yonks before they were even introduced in europe) developing and popularising the design industry will not only provide creative people with a means to express themselves and earn from what they so love - thus empowering people - but also wake up an industry that is currently virtually asleep.

    I am working on a for-charity publication, showcasing Nigerian photographers depicting Nigeria from the eyes of a Nigerian - nigeriansbehindthelens.com and this is just a small piece of the puzzle I hope to complete or inspire others to help complete.

12. Mossberg

    Aug 23 08, 2:19 am PDT

    12

    Thanks for sharing your passionate causes.

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1. Singing Blog Feeds » Blog Archive » The Causes That Make My Heart Sing - Oct 19 07
2. A Long Long Road : Personal Improvement » A Purpose Driven Life - Oct 19 07
3. Singing Lessons » Blog Archive » The Causes That Make My Heart Sing - Nov 10 07
4. Kishore Balakrishnan’s Blog » Blog Archive » collarank and mud cookies - Feb 02 08