Philanthropy

Be Grateful and Generosity Will Follow

November 27, 2013 Beth Devine

There are two things you can do that are sure to kill your negative buzz. That self-pity, bitterness, jealousy, and regret we all tend to cloak ourselves with, like Peanut’s Linus dragging his dirty blanket around with him everywhere he went.

It’s a simple two-step formula, and it requires only a minor sacrifice from you.

1. Ditch the dirty blanket

Instead of clinging to the negative, wrap yourself with gratitude.

2. Choose to share

Without the weight of negative thoughts, its a natural transition to turn around and give.

Your kindness counts, and whatever you choose to do as an individual or business will make a difference.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ~Anne Frank

Gratitude is a skill that anyone can practice and learn. Check out Robert Emmons “10 Ways to Become More Grateful” to reap the benefits of gratitude, which science shows can impact your social, physical, and psychological well-being.

Encourage Charity

Implementing this into your business’s mindset can be as simple as organizing a charitable effort, such as including a non-perishable food drive for your next event. When Web Savvy Marketers held their second anniversary celebration Mardi Gras style, we asked for donations for the local food pantry. In exchange for colorful beaded necklaces, guests brought cans of food and checks made out to the pantry.

“He that feeds the hungry spreads out a banquet more sweet and refreshing than luxury can bestow. “ ~The Voice, 1845.

This generosity fed over eleven families. From a small group of concerned individuals, a small section of the world was impacted. Creating opportunities for people to give requires little effort when its incorporated into a scheduled function through invitations, e-newsletters, and online announcements.

Charitable and fundraising efforts of all kinds can be the definitive buzzkill for any negativity that surrounds you. Finding non-monetary ways to help go beyond sharing your treasure. Giving your time and talent makes your donation come to life by connecting you to the causes you support.

Participate in volunteer activities where you live.
Use your skills to help raise awareness by sharing, liking, and commenting in your charity’s social media sites.
Help spread the word by persuading and connecting the charity with new potential donors.

Understand the need through a deeper connection to a charity by staying abreast of stories, statistics, and current events that impact the cause. This will help your connection to grow.

Make a Wall of Gratitude at Work

A workplace Gratitude Wall bulletin board is another way to help usher in a grateful attitude among employees. Be sure to focus on thanking people as opposed to things.

Saying thank you begins with you. Your thank you’s impact will be stronger when you are specific, giving details about the person, action, or thing you are thankful for.

Are you wondering what your gratitude quotient is? Take this online gratitude quiz by the Greater Good Science Center and find out!

The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, in collaboration with the University of California, Davis, is launching a three-year, $5.6 million project, Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude with funding from the John Templeton Foundation.

Look for expanded gratitude results in medicine, education, schools, and workplaces as they work to promote the role of gratitude in society.

As you reach out to others and learn to wrap yourself with gratitude, remember this:

“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” ~Anthony Robbins

To help keep the gratitude flowing, create a gratitude mandala like the one here using these free mandala templates.

Connecticut Women’s Conference 2012

May 1, 2012 Beth Devine

The Web Savvy Table at the CT Women's Conference — The Fabulous “Table 6”

Have you heard the phrase “just show up”? We are told that by simply being there, we’re taking a significant step toward success. Last week at the annual Connecticut Women’s Conference presented by the CT Women’s Alliance, we discovered what else we can do to achieve our dreams and goals, and it involves doing something we alone hold the power to do. It means becoming a conscious creator. Ask yourself how you are going to show up. Think about what you want, name the feelings this brings, and then cancel any negative ones. Now, concentrate on the positive thoughts, and let it expand.

If you imagine empowerment, it becomes yours.

“We Are Spirits Having a Human Experience”

L. Kay Wilson, the conference moderator, opened by introducing this vision of empowerment, and it lifted and soared as each speaker shared their story and the know-how they acquired along the way. These women (and a few men!) developed that kernel of truth within themselves to create a working reality for their ambition. Judy Dworin shared how she reaches across prison walls to embolden the incarcerated with the Performance Project’s dance and theater, Thea Montañez recounted her humanitarian efforts in Haiti, and keynote speaker Deborah Rodriguez regaled us with her adventures in Afghanistan training women in the art of cosmetology.

All the speakers have this in common: They are reaching out to do the uncommon by serving the underserved.

Table 6 on Stage for Laughter Yoga – What a hoot!

Our inspiration continued beyond the narratives. We learned how to improve our breathing. We practiced visualization on our hands. (Did you know one is larger? Or so it seems…) We even practiced laugh yoga. Don’t laugh – or rather, yes, laugh! – it’s for real, and it’s for your wellbeing.

Happiness is Giving to the Universe

When you show up, how will you choose to proceed? Rodriguez’s life-changing decisions began with an injured iguana. Should she follow her convictions and save this creature, or should she turn her back on what she knew would continue to follow her? Your own “iguana moment” could be the thing that makes you go forward or remain stationary. When they refused to turn their back, each of the speakers brought a unique and healing design to the table.

Montañez reminds us that the very thing we need to heal will bring us happiness when we give it away. Where will you bring your happiness? I hope when you show up you will find it there.

Join us at the CT Women’s Conference

March 31, 2012 Beth Devine

For the past two years, Web Savvy Marketers has worked with the Connecticut Women’s Alliance to plan and sponsor their events. On April 25, the CWA will present it’s premier event, the Connecticut Women’s Conference.

With our guiding theme, “Imagine…”, we’ve planned a day to inspire and empower your imagination at the conference this year. We have workshops designed to quench your thirst for knowledge in finance, spirituality, business, wellness, and global awareness. We’re excited to have Deborah Rodriguez, author of “A Cup of Friendship” and “The Kabul Beauty School” as our keynote speaker. Kay Wilson and her expert panel plan to discuss Spiritual, Physical and Mental empowerment. Jaclyn Vocell, a nationally recognized women’s life coach, motivational speaker, business and sports team life coach and leader, who empowers women and teams across the United States to live in victory, will keep the program going as our Master of Ceremonies.

Like last year, we’ve put together an eclectic and interesting group of vendors and exhibitors. Plus we’ll have some perennial favorites (Ben & Jerry’s) and some new surprises (Laugh Yoga) to make the day fun and festive.

Beth and I are pleased to work for and sponsor the CWA and we’re excited to be a part of this event and hope that many of you will join us at the conference. Today is the final day for Early Bird pricing ($119), so register today to save $30.

We hope to see you there!