Charity synonymous with overhead?

A friend on FB posted a link to America's Worst Charities today. The numbers do look bad. They also pull at the national heartstrings that tell us OVERHEAD IS BAD.  I replied to her post requesting everyone to watch this video. (Did I mention, I love TEDtalks!!)

Dan Pallotta gives a moving presentation offering a very compelling argument to reform the non-profit model in the U.S. In the profit and non-profit sector it costs money to raise those crazy amounts of money. Our country's idea of "overhead" in charity is significantly affecting the ability to help solve the massive problems so many non-profits were created to address.

Not to say there aren't so-called charities doing terrible things; I'm sure many of these are right there on that list. I'm just saying everyone who cringes at the thought of "overhead" should think before joining the nation in this well-known disdain for the fundraising world.

Feel free to take a look at my three favorite charities:
Global Heritage Fund
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
National Alliance on Mental Illness

Be brave.

I read today about Irena Sendler, a Polish Roman Catholic woman who served as a Social Worker in Warsaw during WWII.  Apparently, this powerful lady - despite all odds against her efforts - smuggled approximately 2,500 children out of the Warsaw ghetto during this time.  Though eventually she was captured by the nazis and sentenced to death, she escaped by means of bribing the guards on her way to execution, as well as survived severe beatings, only to live in hiding for the remainder of the war.  Her fantastic story of bravery continues when we learn she kept notes of each child she saved, hidden in a jar she kept buried in a neighbors backyard, under a tree.  That tree now stands at the entrance to the Garden of the Righteous in Jerusalem.

Talk about balls!  If that doesn't tell you to get off your behind and do something important, I'm not sure what will.

Strength in numbers

Meet Sampat Pal Devi and the Gulabi Gang.  While I believe violence certainly begets violence, there is something amazing about these women.  Sampat Pal Devi is nothing short of heroic.  Seeing how she has single-handedly risen in the face of an opposition that fuels a severe imbalance currently affecting half of the population in India... I mean, kind of makes me feel like I'm not doing anything!

What a powerful example of the impact one person can make.  Do you want to change the world?  And if so, what are you doing to make that happen?

The education debate continues.

All I've ever wanted to do was travel.  After that I planned only to travel more prior to settling down into some comfort, which at the time looked like a future family.  Prior to finishing my degree I was given such an opportunity, and promptly focused 200% on the career which so generously afforded me the luxury to live out these dreams.  After all, the grass is green where you water it.

The notion that having a degree is the key to what truly prepares one for a job has always seemed a bit silly to me.  If I have a degree will I then know how to interview or to speak with people in an engaging and personable way?  Will a degree really enable me to learn how to find a job in what is known today as an ever-changing, even roller coaster-esque, market?  Please tell me, will it pave the way for me to create my own dream job?!  In many cases, it may.  I'm sure people are doing it as we speak.

However, now more than ever we have access to an almost free education through a multitude of platforms via the web.  I LOVE to see how technology and forward-thinking continue to push education and its role in job seeking, as well as in overall performance, far outside of the box.  I hope our future holds for us the freedom to get the best education in school and as an added bonus, an equal opportunity for those who are not afforded the expensive benefits of that same experience.

I absolutely believe some degrees hold a tremendous amount of value, despite my previous post with this video.  For instance, you certainly wouldn't find me choosing a doctor who credits their education to a free online platform.  Just take a look at the specialist I recently chose for my hand injury.  Dr. Leonard Gordon is nothing short of highly educated.

It still gives me great joy to read articles like this one.  At the end of the day we all want to know if we're adding value.  It's exciting to see that we are starting to realize people can add value in more ways than one.

WINNING!

In April, I posted a link to Amy Cuddy's TED Talk about body language.  The idea that humans and animals alike have a universal motion to show achievement truly fascinates me.

The below play shows a fellow human doing this perfectly.  A beautiful pick-me-up!

Arms up FTW

Vonn Sumner

Vonn is a family friend.  He's also AMAZING.

Check out this fantastic interview exploring the thoughts, influences, and drive behind Vonn's work.  And it's in the Washington Post, no less!

Go see his exhibit in Los Angeles this weekend.  Opening Reception is tomorrow night.

Get your socks knocked off here.

This is definitely perfect form.

Brave, courageous, and strong Angelina.  Wow. What a decision and from this article, one can only guess she did it with grace.

My Medical Choice

Pinterest as a means of inspiration.

Pinterest.  Of all the social media vehicles available today, none are so successful as Pinterest in attaching me to the computer for hours.  I could "pin" for days.

Though it's not my favorite board, it's certainly the one I prefer to review the most.

Get inspired!  At the very least, smile.

Inspiration

Kitchen? Parenting? Same thing?

I learned these ten things parenting.  Coincidence?  I think not.

10 Things I Learned Working In A Restaurant Kitchen

An argument for happiness.

As Rosabeth Moss Kanter put's it: the M's of motivation are mastery, membership, and meaning.

Get those three at your job and happiness will follow.  A word to the wise!  Do something.  Rather, do something great for others and great for you.

The Happiest People Pursue the Most Difficult Problems

Change is good.

In a world where teenage pregnancies are frowned upon and abortion is considered unethical: finally, a step in the right direction for women's health.  Progress is always the goal and even small wins make big differences.

FDA Allows 'Morning After Pill' To Be Sold To Some Teenagers Without A Prescription

And a disgruntled writer's amusing version on the same topic.

Bubblegum and the Date Rape Cocktail

And for those who work and Yahoo, your benefits just improved dramatically.  Excellent change at one of our local businesses!

Marissa Mayer extends Yahoo's maternity leave

Zee Avi sounds like an angel.

Have a listen to this ethereal singer-songwriter.  

Zee Avi - Concrete Wall

Education Debate

Here's a little piece on education. 

I Will Not Let An Exam Decide My Fate

Today, will an exam decide your fate anyway?  Yes, probably. 

But, tomorrow... there is always this notion: Top Schools from Berkeley to Yale Offer Free Online Courses.

Or if you prefer the free education on the brilliance that is the Khan Academy.

Education is slowly making the changes it needs to survive in a population of goal-oriented hopefuls, keen on managing time, success, and potential loan pitfalls on their quest to gain the knowledge and intelligence of a college graduate.

Everybody needs love!

Happy Friday.  Have a listen to this happy tune.

Every time I hear it start up, I just have to dance!

VV Brown - Everybody


"Everybody say yes, if you do...."

And here's one of her more recent hits, and the most raw version I've seen.

Photography, happiness, and where they meet.

7 Reasons Why Photographs Can Boost Your Happiness
by The Happiness Project

Two people I look up to that spend much, if not all, of their lives shooting images. 

My brother, Nels Andereck, absolutely ROCKS.  From Tokyo to San Francisco, you can see his unique style shot on medium format film.  Pelado's Flickr

Anthony Kurtz, that outspoken, internationally acclaimed S.O.B. we know and love.  Find him in Berlin these days and check out his website here.

The Dream is Now

Do you support immigration reform?

Sign this petition or watch this documentary if you do.

How to change your life in two minutes.

Whenever I am feeling defeated or in the spirit I might not be able to do what I need to do, I dig into www.ted.com.  I prefer to use the site as a fantastic resource for learning and inspiring change.

Watch Amy Cuddy speak on presence, dominance, and the power of exercising your movement for a greater outcome in your life.  After watching the talk, all it takes is two minutes.

Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are

Happy Friday. Get Free.

Set your ears free this Friday.

We're all together in the same boat...
Get Free - Major Lazer
(Feat. Amber Coffman Of Dirty Projectors)

Never got love from a government man
Heading downstream till the levee gives in
What can i do to get the money
We ain't go the money, we ain't gettin' out
Heading downstream till the levee gives in
And my dreams are wearin' thin
All I need's relief

I need I need some sympathy
Look at me
I Just can't believe
What they've done to me
We could never get free
I just wanna be
Look at me
I Just can't believe

What they've done to me
We could never get free
I just wanna be
I just wanna dream
All of my life been wadin in
Water so deep now we got to swim
Wonder will it ever end

How long how long till we have a friend
Comin' down, feelin' like a battery hen
Waves won't break till the tide comes in
What will I do in the sunrise
What will I do without my dreams
Look at me
I Just can't believe
What they've done to me

We could never get free
I just wanna be
Look at me
I Just can't believe
What they've done to me
We could never get free
I just wanna be
I just wanna dream
We're all together in the same boat

I know you, you know me
Baby, you know me
We're all together in the same boat
I know you, you know me
Baby, you know me
We're all together in the same boat
I know you, you know me
Baby, you know me
I Just wanna dream

Seeking teleportation to the Tunnel of Love in Ukraine.

Just another reason to travel.  As if we needed any more!!

The 33 Most Beautiful Abandoned Places in the World

For the ears.

Something beautiful...

Balmorhea - Baleen Morning

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. Dalai Lama

To This Day Project is a spoken word poem written by Shane Koyczan. 

Love yourself.  Love others.

Be amazing.

Came across this amazing story today.  It sounds like that of a fairy tale and makes me want to DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW.  Right now.

This guy, Narayanan Krishnan, basically quits his job and starts on a cooking rampage, offering what is quoted to be 1.2 million meals since 2002.  Kicker: this article was written in 2010.  It's unfathomable the amount of good one person can offer to the world. 

Note: CNN Heroes received more than 10,000 nominations from 100 countries, and a Blue Ribbon Panel selected the Top 10 CNN Heroes for the year.  Nominate for 2013 or read about all of them here.

To Wear

Lace-up leather is always a good idea.