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