Author: beinggoode

I'm a writer working in corporate responsibility in Los Angeles. Trying 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.

Weekly Check-In

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A bit of a hectic week but with some good surprises.

Traditional Volunteerism

  • 1 hour Stop Hunger Now – My company had a volunteering event that had a Stop Hunger Now activity. We packaged 10,000 meals. I highly recommend this as a team building activity. You get to wear hair nets! haha.
  • 4 hours Crisis Text Line

Charitable Giving

  • $0

Personal Kindnesses

  • We all get busy and it’s easy to be a flake. It’s easy to put off plans or change your mind. I did my very best this week to make sure I kept commitments to friends or were clear with them that I just couldn’t make it.

Self Care

  • With the three day weekend I got to fit in some extra time with friends. I also took my dog to a coffee shop. She’s a rescue and after 3 years she’s finally mellowed enough (and been rehabbed enough) that I can take her to a coffee shop and sit outside and enjoy myself.

How did you do this week? Share in the comments!

One in a Million

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“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”

– Howard Zinn

When I had that awful cold last week (which is still lingering) I started to feel frustrated that I couldn’t help. I get so much joy from being productive and helping others that to have to sit on the couch all day and sleep isn’t something fun for me. Especially after my big amazing week of volunteering at the Invictus Games. I had to cancel my Crisis Text Line shift and my appointment to donate blood and had to end another Crisis Text Line shift early.

Missing my blood donation appointment was hard on me and I’m still looking for a good time to fit it back in but I really do need to feel 100% to donate. Donating blood as much as I’m able is really a big focus for me this year. And of course I got a few emails that this last weekend my blood type was in short supply for platelet donations. I felt even worse.

Then today I came across this Howard Zinn quote and it reminded me to calm down. Two weeks or a month out of the year focusing on myself and my health doesn’t matter. The small things I do the rest of the year can transform the world. I’m one of millions of people who volunteer, who donate blood, who counsel those in need, who help with events. Together we’ve got this. I can take a rest if I need it because someone is out there to help pick up the slack. And when I get back to full health I can give someone else with the helping spirit a little slack when they need it.

Weekly Check-In

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Sorry for the absence… I had the worst cold last week that only allowed me the energy to do the necessities. Mostly I just slept as much as possible. I’m still getting over it and have a bit of a lingering cough but at least I’m awake. I had to miss my blood donation appointment though and am hoping I’m feeling 100% soon so I can get back on track.

Traditional Volunteerism

  • 4 hours Crisis Text Line

Charitable Giving

  • $0

Personal Kindnesses

  • I tried my very best to keep my sickness to myself. I avoided doorknobs and touching shared surfaces without breaking out the cleaning wipes. I wouldn’t want anyone else feeling this way.

Self Care

  • Letting myself be sick and just resting is hard for me but I did it. Lots of quality couch time.

How did you do this week? Share in the comments!

Weekly Check-In

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It’s Friday and I’m pretty wiped out. It was an amazing week and I’ll have lots of reflections shortly. 

Traditional Volunteerism

  • 45 hours Invictus Games 2016! 

Charitable Giving

  • I bought a good deal of Invictus merchandise and I’m hoping that the Invictus Foundation sees at least a little bit of that money.  

Personal Kindnesses

  • I had a lot of fun saying congratulations to the athletes as they passed. Even the ones who didn’t medal deserved a lot of praise. Even when far behind no one gave up or slowed down. Down by 10 points didn’t mean not playing the last 30 seconds of the game. 

Self Care

  • Well now I’m pretty beat up. I ran a 10k and a half marathon last weekend and then got on a plane to get to the games. On top of the hours volunteering I got to watch the games and drive some fancy cars. Now I have two quick days in Walt Disney World that I’m going to spend eating all the Mickey shaped things I want. 🙂

How did you do this week? Did you watch the Invictus Games? What did you find most inspiring?
#InvictusGames2016

Invictus Day 3

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Today was a long one. 7am-11pm. I’m currently waiting for the secret service to clear out so I can get home and get back for another 7am start. Today was a crash course in wheelchair rugby (pun intended). Prince Harry and the Bidens were in attendance so there was a lot of excitement but most was left for the field of play. 

Invictus Day 2

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I made it out of bed and to the games by 7am. I helped with track and field doing odd jobs watching gates and running around. Having just run a half marathon, what, two days ago, I was amazed by these athletes with their speed and determination. Even those far from the podium finished strong, running their heart out until the end. So inspiring!

Now I get to rest up for a 7am- 11pm day tomorrow. I got to drive a Jaguar and do some shopping. Now time for naps. 

Weekly Check-In

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I happily busy preparing for the week ahead. I’m very excited for my first volunteer based vacation.

Traditional Volunteerism

  • 4 Hours Crisis Text Line.

Charitable Giving

  • $0

Personal Kindnesses

  • There was an accident at work and I was able to stay calm and get into action to get the woman medical attention. Everyone needs help at some point and I was happy to do what little I could to help her.

Self Care

  • Daydreaming about my trip! Planning and organizing can be part of the joy of vacation. Also I’ve been cleaning my apartment in preparation which means I’ll come home to a nice clean place.
  • There is a little pond where I work and this week there were nine baby ducks! The little fluffy balls of spring brought me so much joy.

Please share in the comments how you’re doing this week!

Countdown to Invitus

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Only 5 days until I’ll be in Orlando for the Invitus Games! I’m very excited and also in scramble mode trying to get things done. I’m starting to see why people take Voluntourism vacations that are pre-planned… Pulling things together from across the country is a lot of work. I’m also doing a 10k and a half marathon this weekend. I had signed up for it previously and it will be the reason I’m going to miss the opening ceremonies of the games.

 

I’m trying to put together a game plan for my posts and what I’m going to write about. I’ll try to do a quick update daily during the games and hope to come away with some longer pieces by the end of my trip. I’m signed up to volunteer from 7am to 11pm most days so we’ll see what happens.

 

The Queen, POTUS, and Trudeau are all ready and have posted twitter videos that are pretty hilarious. So I’m just going to take a queue from them and drop the mic on this post. Game on!