I watch Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama, I read about Melinda Gates and think to myself – that’s what I want to be, what I want to do. I want to be a Princess, First Lady, Philanthropist. I want to visit underprivileged youth in schools, I want to Move 5 and I want to puzzle out how to bring clean water to Africa.

There are a couple of difficulties for me though. And no the mansions and beautiful wardrobes don’t count, although those would be nice. The difficulties are the classic ones – money and time. Princess, First Ladies and Philanthropists have the luxury, the resources to help people. From the time they get up in the morning until they go to bed all they need to do to be successful is to help someone, make a positive impact on a life. How lucky. How challenging.

With no prince charming in sight I’ve decided to make my own luck, start my own challenge. The challenge is – to figure out how to use my limited resources to make the most impact to the issues that matter to me, how to be the smartest giver possible.

I’m a writer (another occupation where money and time are in short supply) and I work in Corporate Responsibility at an international company here in Los Angeles. I’ve been volunteering all my life. I’m not giving myself the title of princess. No one will suddenly care about what I’m wearing or give me priceless jewels. But hopefully people will be excited to see me, my presence will bring comfort and joy to people who need it, my head will look like it was made to hold priceless jewels from the way I carry myself.

I’m not perfect. I don’t have a lot of resources. I have a bias to certain causes. This is my personal journey that I want to share with you. I hope that I can inspire others to ask themselves the same questions, follow the same challenge and become more philanthropic in their own lives. I hope we can conquer this challenge together.