wishes

[tapit]

I have to say that I've been feeling sort of out of it on the forums because I don't want anything. Aside from electronic toys like an Epson 1400 printer and a Sony Vegas editing program and maybe a car that was actually made in this century, no goal is lighting my fire. Sure, I'd like to write a successful book, or make a really fine movie, but somehow, it's not motivating me. Then I began reading this thread and I realized what was missing. I want to do something for others more than for myself. In case this smacks of co-dependency, what I mean is that I'd like to find an organization or issue that I could really contribute to. Like being a mental health advocate for patients or maybe care for homeless animals. I realize this sounds so wishy-washy, but I think I'm on to something here...

[flowerchild]

I think that's wonderful sometimes the greatest gift we can receive is being helpful to others. With no labels. Like 'St. Francis Prayer. So many of us are so caught up in ourselves we forget to take the time to check in on others and to lend a helping hand, that's where the divine intervention occurs. People helping people.

[kashtanka]

Tapit, I don't think coming to the conculsion that you'd like to help others is being wishy washy. I think you're onto something good -- best wishes to you.

[BarbaraSher]

I know how you feel. You're on to something. It feels good to make a difference in this world. I found a great little orphanage in Nepal that I donate to, but there are more hands-on ways to help living creatures. These ideas below are a little limited, but maybe the brainstormers here will come up with more. How to Provide Help for Homeless Pets By eHow Pets Editor Rate: (2 Ratings) Millions of pets are abandoned or left homeless every year. There are many ways that you can help homeless pets. Shelters and rescue organizations are always looking for donations and volunteers. You can also consider adopting a homeless pet yourself. Read on to learn how to help homeless pets. Step1 Adopt a homeless pet. Many animals are abandoned or lost each year. Help one homeless pet at a time by adopting one and giving it a new home. Visit the Petfinder website or your local shelter for pets up for adoption. Step2 Foster a homeless pet until a shelter is able to find the animal a new home. Many rescues are in need of short-term housing for abandoned pets. Provide a place for them in your home while the shelter seeks permanent homes. You can also participate in helping to train and socialize homeless pets. Step3 Volunteer at a local animal shelter or rescue organization. Shelters need people to help feed, exercise and clean up after homeless pets. You can also help by doing office work, repairs or other tasks at the shelter. Some shelters require that you go through some training before working with the animals. Step4 Donate money or goods to a local shelter. Caring for homeless pets and providing them with food and care is an expensive endeavor. You can help shelters by donating money or by donating goods that they may need including dog toys, crates or food. Always check to see what the shelter needs before donating goods. Ask about sponsoring a particular animal if you can't adopt her. Step5 Attend a fund raiser for a local shelter or rescue organization that helps homeless pets. Each organization will sponsor different events aimed at raising money. These can range from fancy dinners to races to parties. Visit your local shelter for more information on upcoming events. You may even want to help plan or organize the event. Step6 Talk to others about helping homeless pets. Encourage those who are looking for new pets to consider adopting an animal from a shelter. Inform friends and family members about shelter fund raisers and events.

[zaxy]

Kiva.org is an organization that i've been using for a while now. it's really fantastic: (from the site)

What Is Kiva? We Let You Loan to the Working Poor Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. The people you see on Kiva's site are real individuals in need of funding - not marketing material. When you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on the site, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else in need.

there's more info on their site- http://www.kiva.org i, personally, love it because it doesn't have to be BIG. i can give in very small amounts. each month, i find someone who i feel i'd like to loan $25.oo to, and in a few months they've paid me back and i re-lend it. it's a really nice way to directly help, say... someone in Africa who needs to rebuild their roof, or someone in asia buy a goat, or a woman in south america who needs school books for her child. (edited to add: just to be clear: they DO let you withdraw your money when you've been repaid. you don't have to re-loan it. i just read through the post as i put it up, and realized that it kind of sounded like that. that's the beauty of kiva- you're loaning your money- not outright donating it. you can just withdraw it if you decide to stop loaning.)