The Causes That Make My Heart Sing

Alex Shalman started a writing project called Caringsupport a child with clean clothes, food in their bellies,
Compassion Charity where each person tagged is toa bed to sleep in, school supplies and an education?
write about a cause they feel passionate about. IMy long term plan is to opening several Tibetan-run
was tagged by Priscilla Palmer and Jean Browman atschools that teach not only Tibetan culture, but the
the Cheerful Monk. Much appreciated!principles of success (ie. Napolean Hill's materials).
There are two causes close to my heart: 1) Tibetan- Interested in lending a helping hand? Here's a link to
Children 2) Empowering Peoplesponsor a small child.
Tibetan Children - The Story- Photos? Here's a series of Portraits I captured
I spent a month last year traveling in Tibet. Theduring this time.
journey was a life altering one. My experience moved
my life focus inwards and lead to a series of eventsEmpowering People
that triggered my understanding of 'Happiness'. IMy personal mission is to "Empower, Motivate and
learned many lessons from the pilgrims, lamas, andInspire People to Living more Fulfilled Lives". I want to
street children I connected with throughout myhelp those struggling to free themselves from the
journey. It became clear to me that one can be trulylimitations of fear, of self-imposed constraints, of
happy with no external possessions, and that thepoverty, of stress, of inertia and boredom.... to living
kindness within you can never be taken away. I wasa life of bliss, peace, health, wealth, contribution, love
quickly moved by their lives of devotion, compassionand true happiness.
and simplicity. Their generosity and considerationThis blog exists as part of this mission, where I share
towards all people deeply touched me. I have nevermy experiences and what worked for me. I have
felt so loved by a group of strangers, and met aseveral projects underway for the next year related
happy group of people who lived on so little.to this mission. In the long term, I will be creating
With the invasion of their homeland, and the currentpersonal development programs specifically for
suppression of their spiritual practice by the Chinesechildren, making the programs very affordable and
government, their culture is in exile. Public schools areaccessible. Have you ever wished that you were
run by the government, where the tuition is as highblessed with self-empowering knowledge and
as the typical income for a Tibetan family. Not only isself-actualizing understanding earlier in life? I do. I
the price of attendance out of reach, but thewould have under gone much less 'un-learning'.
education system does not teach Tibetan. TheI Tag (instructions here):
majority of Tibetan children are not schooled. Those- Leo at Zen Habits
children that have the privilege of an education are- Marina at Sufficient Thrust
offered no education opportunities past middle school.- Ravi at Set Higher Standards
Most children are illiterate. They grow up as labor- Lawrence at - Tim at Four Hour Work Week
workers, or as peasants on the street haggling- Sam at Acquire Wisdom
travelers and selling souvenirs. The result? Tiny- Paul at Success Current
wages, a sense of self-inadequacy, and the cycle- Galba at Tune up you EQ
repeats.- Craig at A Search For (My) Life
My cause is to help these children get an education,- Lorie at Living Order
undo the cycle, and feel empowered. My short term- Albert at Urban Monk
contribution is donating 5% of everything I make- Lyman at Creating a Better Life
towards supporting another child inside Tibet (eitherWhat is your Cause? Please share in comments
orphans, or farmer parents with almost no money).below.
Did you know that it takes only one dollar a day to