As a yoga teacher and a musician I have this platform to help and serve through the work I do.  It is a gift.  When I began the 12-month project, I had no idea what stories would be brought my way, either quite passively through a friend's Facebook post, or through direct contact and research.  I stumbled upon this story through Facebook, and the cousin of a dear friend, Tish Nordvall, and his family are in need of financial assistance simply to cover the basics while 24-year-old Shelby undergoes continued treatment for lung cancer (spread from his brain, and previous cancers, as well).  They have a goal: $4,000 in two months.  There are 53 days remaining as of today, and no amount is too small-- I noticed one donation for $7.00.  You can be anonymous in your donations if you are shy about "not giving enough". 

Please know that there is no such thing as "not giving enough".  That is a falsehood generated in our own minds.  Trust in this.  We give what we can, and when it is given from a place of love...other hearts feel it, respond, and the love then multiplies. :) 

This $4,000 is not covering their mounting medical bills.  It's simply for the basics.  So Shelby can live comfortably while he is in-home care.  Here is the link to make a secure online donation:

http://www.indiegogo.com/Super-Shelbys-Fund

If you can help-- selflessly help another human being because you have an extra few dollars, it would mean the world to this family.  And if you are already strapped financially, I know what that feels like.  I've been there many times myself.  Know that there are other ways to give-- holding the door for an elderly person, listening to a friend, or smiling at a stranger are also gifts from the heart. 

I realize that every cause I post will not resonate with you.  However if even one person is touched by this story and can help, then the 20 minutes of blogging is time very well spent...

May all beings feel peace, joy and love, always.  Happy New Year!

In our family, we made a decision last year to stop buying gifts for the siblings, as we all have enough. We are also older...I'm the youngest at 45 years old, with our oldest sibling at 56! :)  We realized there were others in our lives who need us more-- and I'm speaking about all resouces-- time, energy, space, and money.  I am planting a seed so that perhaps you will keep your eyes and ears open.  Maybe a neighbor was just diagnosed with an illness, and you can join in with your community peers and cook a meal or offer to take their kids for an hour or two?  Or maybe a coworker's spouse has been laid-off for months and months...and they could desperately use something simple like a giftcard to Giant?  This month's charity is up to you...there is no measuring stick, okay?  From holding the door to donating money...the canvas is blank and the brush is in your hands!  Have a joyful, healthy, and peaceful holiday season...

http://www.kingstownestriders.org/FilltheShoes5K.html

To donate online specifically to their critical care fund, visit http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/donate/critical-care-fund, or to donate to a general fund visit http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/donate/donate-online.

To visit their online library of dogs-- with pics!-- visit http://www.luckydoganimalrescue.org/adopt/adoptable-dogs. 

My wish is that we begin to think outside of ourselves, and understand that every little bit helps.  Often times, it is our tendency to not do anything at all if we somehow think that what we *can* do isn't "enough".  When we reach out from our hearts, everything matters...truly.  Even if Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is not a cause that resonates with you, check back.  We're only on month 3 of our 12 month project!

Thank you for your eyes and ears...have a beautiful day!

July is also my birthday month...yay!  I love celebrating life each day, but this is the day I get to give thanks to my parents for bringing me into this world.  And what better month to partner and serve the LLS with my 12 Months, 12 Charities: Bridging Music and Service initiative! :)

There are three ways you can help and make a difference...no amount is too small...I really cannot emphasize this enough.  It's about our *collective* effort. 

* Donate directly through the LLS website. 

* Donate through my Happy Heart Yoga website. All purchases are secure (https page) and major credit cards or PayPal account payments are accepted.  If you want to donate more than $5.00, simply update your quantity in your shopping cart.  For example, a quantity of 4 = $20 donation.

* Purchase CDs at a show, CDs or single songs through iTunes or CD Baby, and a percentage will be donated back to LLS (between 20-30% of the net sales). And help me to keep doing what I do, too!

Thank you for allowing me to continue to share and use my gifts with purpose.  Have a beautiful day!

So, how does this work?  Each month will be unique...for June, I've decided to take my latest single, The Change, and donate a portion of the sales to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (in addition to my own cash donation).  You can listen to a clip of The Change by clicking here, and then purchase the song by clicking here.  You can even gift the song to a friend-- just make note of their name and email address in the comments section at checkout.  Please allow up to 24 hours for delivery...I don't quite have the instant functionality of iTunes...yet. :) 

Prefer iTunes?  Here's the link to purchase through the Store:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-change-single/id443205192

Spread the word...and share this entry on your Facebook or Twitter pages.  Thank you for your support, and for helping the Animal Welfare League of Arlington *and* indie music!!

Album art for The Change designed by the talented Rahul Mukerji.

To learn more about the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, visit http://www.awla.org/index.shtml.