I took one look at my friend Sara’s sign by her front door and had to copy her! I was such a sucker when solicitors knocked on our door but now the madness has stopped. I think…

I stumbled upon (ok, I was forced to watch) a video that showed some of the most kind (and thoughtful) actions I’ve seen in awhile.  The video is very inspiring and I learned about a couple of world problems that I didn’t even know existed. Jeremy Cowart took thoughtfulness to a much higher level and I am in awe. Let’s just say that if he came to my door, there would be no freakin’ way that he would leave empty-handed! The guy is accomplishing major things and I believe he is fully capable of showing that goodness prevails. I am sucked in. 

All of us get hit up for money to support the most amazing causes and all of these causes really, really matter.  There are so many needs for awareness and funds. Hundreds of legitimate and worthy causes are out there and every single one of them is important.  But how do I choose? What are the deciding factors for which organizations will get my donations?  I am constantly contemplating between spreading the “wealth” by giving $20 to every cause or giving a lump sum to just one.  When should it be a thoughtful pinch or an impactful move?

Does it seem thoughtless of me to wish that all these organizations and foundations would come together for one weekend at some giant conference (please pick Vegas!)? This way all the Alzheimers organizations could meet and pull their efforts together.  All of the many types of cancer groups could meet and figure out how to consolidate the research effort to get more accomplished.  All of the hunger relief organizations could coordinate their resources and end world hunger once and for all. And so on. I feel like the way things are right now, every cause is so specialized that it becomes an individual effort. I admit it’s very naive and immature to think of it that way. But I wonder, at some point will everyone have too many causes to support that eventually they will just stop donating because their $20 really won’t make a difference anymore? 

I want to be thoughtful for every cause but in the end I feel like maybe I’m thoughtful for no one. Because here’s where I struggle - if family is everything, would my donations be better off helping a family member who may be suffering a set back or helping the earthquake victims in Nepal?  Any person with a heart knows that each are equally important so is there a right answer? Just this week, I have four opportunities to offer my donations.  First, I donated money to fund a friend who is running a marathon in honor of family members who died from cancer. Next there was a wonderful dinner party hosted by the parents of one of my son’s classmates. It was “A Purposeful Party”, where they thoughtfully provided a dinner at their home and accepted donations on behalf of the YMCA. Then of course we will buy tickets to the bi-annual fundraiser event for my kids’ school.  It is the biggest chance to raise the money needed for the school. And finally, I am sending in a donation to the National MS Society in honor of my cousin’s uncle who passed away.  All of these opportunities are chances for me to make a difference.  But I can’t help but feel guilty. The sum of all these donations could significantly help family members who really need the money as well. Doesn’t family come first? 

I know that my problems are really blessings; I am no sucker after all. 

Pinches,

Barb