Last month's horrific Haitian earthquake led to a major aftershock right here in the US: the shaking of coins out of our pockets. In the wake of the quake, a bit of global generosity was generated.Why do I write "A Bit"?
Because, I am comparing the approximately $528 million raised, to date, with what we Americans spent the weekend after our November Thanksgiving holiday in 2009.
According to Newsweek, on the Friday following our feasting, we went out and spent $10.66 BILLION. And the following Monday, sitting at our computers at work, we spend another $887 MILLION.
We certainly donate more than the change from the bottom of our purses and under the couch cushions when shopping for ourselves.
This spending disparity has been making me uncomfortable. What must happen to shift our spirit of giving?
Today, I read a beautiful Daily Om essay on opening the heart. Opening the heart, the writer tells us, "The more you practice, the more you will find your heart opening to your own presence and to all the situations your life brings."
A fellow Vermonter has found a creative and fun way to open her heart. Elizabeth Winters has created Ragdolls 2 Love, a nonprofit organization that makes and sends simple cloth dolls to children in troubled parts of the world. Here is a video of Elizabeth shipping out some of her adorable cloth babies to Haiti.
Do you receive a free subscription to the Daily Om? Why not treat yourself to a daily inspiring email? If you were a subscriber, you would have been reminded today, that, when opening the heart, we are asked, "to practice some of the heart's greatest lessons—patience, compassion, and unconditional love."
What a perfect way to prepare for celebrating Valentine's Day....at home and in Haiti.
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