In the book Unstoppable Women (Day26), Cynthia Kersey asks us to take a look at causes or issues that are important to us. In her own life, she experienced great emotional healing when she focused outward on the needs of others whose pain was much greater than her own. In 1998 she experienced a significant loss and in her own evaluation she decided that she should build 100 homes in Nepal through the Habitat for Humanity program to outweigh the pain she felt. In three short months she raised enough money (approximately $200,000) to build 100 homes. It is interesting that 100 homes in Nepal are about the same price as one middleclass home in America.
Most of the causes I personally support are aimed at the needs of women and children. In 2007 I discovered the program KIVA which matches lenders with those needing resources. A hidden message in our daughter's adoption documents gave us the feeling that we should pursue a method of giving back after being so blessed to raise this little girl. We learned that our daughters name was given with best wishes in hopes that she would be happy. We wanted to leave this legacy.
When one focuses on learning about the needs of women, as I do, it is easy to discover that women do not fair well in many parts of the world. Although we will never know the specific reasons that our daughter became an orphan at one day old, we know that the decision to relinquish her came at a great cost to her birthmother. Her birthmother will never know the outcome of her decision. We know that our daughter’s birthmother gave her a tremendous lift in life by giving her up. By inspiring our daughter to give to others, we hope that we can somehow create balance in the universe that cost her mother so dearly.
I firmly believe that happiness is a reflection of what we give to others, so as we embarked on the journey of parenthood, we decided we would raise our family on this premise. When we discovered KIVA, we knew that this would be one approach to leaving a "happiness legacy" behind. The money we use to buy a cup of coffee in America is a full weeks wage in other parts of the world. I feel passionate about my role as a resource director, so when we have a few extra dollars, we roll them into a giving experience.
When you plant seeds and tend to those seeds, great things can happen. Yesterday I was reviewing progress made in our micro-lending experience. In a few short years I've discovered what began as one small $25 loan contributed toward one woman's business has now turned into 68 loans in 17 countries through our lending team. We have personally contributed to 38 of these loans and have given two gift certificates. Since time allows one to reinvest in new business once old loans are repaid, the circulation of our money has allowed us to contribute $1,250 to make life better for women and their families. Part of these resources have come from our own savings, but in 2008, my daughter asked her friends to contribute toward this cause instead of bringing gifts to her birthday party; she was four. This amounted in $125 that we were able to roll into our giving. Since that time, we've learned that even our babysitter at age 15 is beginning to value this experience as her own mother gave her a gift certificate to get her started.
Our lending team was started in May 2009. With donations from a gold buying exchange we added another $150 to our lending. We would love to have you join us in this venture and see what a difference we can make as a collective team. It is our goal over the next five years that we will increase our lending ten-fold (to 700 loans, contributing $17,500) to help women in other regions of the world. If you are interested in learning more about KIVA or wish to join our lending team, find us on the Internet at http://www.kiva.org/team/3_degrees_connected.
To learn more about Cynthia Kersey’s Unstoppable Women’s Challenge go to her website at http://www.unstoppablewomen.com/. See what Cynthia is doing for her upcoming birthday.
This article was written by Rhonda W. Geneva, SendOutCards Distributor and President of 3 Degrees Connected Women's Network.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
A Support Team
What kind of organization is 3 Degrees Connected™ Women's Network? In Cynthia Kersey's book, Unstoppable Women: Achieving Any Breakthrough Goal in 30 Days, she talks about surrounding yourself with people who lift you higher (Day 23). As I read through this material (my second trip through this program), I had the prompting to write this article.
Often time women identify with multiple roles that require her time and attention. We identify with being daughters, granddaughters, sisters, aunts, wives, mothers, best friends, career person, committee member, or Sunday school teacher. Our list of people we claim to be can be overwhelming.
When you think of each of these roles, each has its own criteria that make you feel successful in that role. It is likely that you depend on the same inner circle to provide support and offer feedback in all areas of your life. If you draw on your spouse or best friend for support in the area of your career, you may not like their input. They know you in a different role, should they know how to support you in a role they had little part of creating? Most likely they are focused on many roles themselves.
Finding a support team that understands the nature of what you are trying to accomplish can be helpful. When trying to lose weight, you might find joining a weight-loss program focused on the right behaviors makes more sense than gaining encouragement from someone who has never had to face that obstacle. A support team of this nature would encourage you to take a walk rather than sit on the couch and enjoy a two hour movie on your flat screen television.
Cynthia shares "The University of California at Berkley has demonstrated that associating with successful people improves performance and increases the chance of success. Conversely, associating with unsuccessful or unimaginative people is counterproductive." Building relationships on mutual support or accountability can be very helpful. Not only will you be the recipient of many new insights, you will feel great knowing that you are also contributing to someone else’s success.
Take a look at the relationships you have created and rely upon. What roles have you assigned to whom. Here are just a few examples: nurturing and restoring, allowing you to maintain the status quo, spiritual ambassador, gossip and complaining, goal directed and personal development. What support roles are lacking?
Cynthia explains that there are several areas that one can look for support including: non-profit organizations, professional associations, career centers, personal coaches, your place of employment. We would like to believe that 3 Degrees Connected™ Women's Network is a great organization focused on support. If you have interest in joining us, please check us out. We would love to create a mutually beneficial relationship with you.
This article was written by Rhonda W. Geneva, SendOutCards™ Independent Distributor, and President of 3 Degrees Connected™ Women's Network.
Often time women identify with multiple roles that require her time and attention. We identify with being daughters, granddaughters, sisters, aunts, wives, mothers, best friends, career person, committee member, or Sunday school teacher. Our list of people we claim to be can be overwhelming.
When you think of each of these roles, each has its own criteria that make you feel successful in that role. It is likely that you depend on the same inner circle to provide support and offer feedback in all areas of your life. If you draw on your spouse or best friend for support in the area of your career, you may not like their input. They know you in a different role, should they know how to support you in a role they had little part of creating? Most likely they are focused on many roles themselves.
Finding a support team that understands the nature of what you are trying to accomplish can be helpful. When trying to lose weight, you might find joining a weight-loss program focused on the right behaviors makes more sense than gaining encouragement from someone who has never had to face that obstacle. A support team of this nature would encourage you to take a walk rather than sit on the couch and enjoy a two hour movie on your flat screen television.
Cynthia shares "The University of California at Berkley has demonstrated that associating with successful people improves performance and increases the chance of success. Conversely, associating with unsuccessful or unimaginative people is counterproductive." Building relationships on mutual support or accountability can be very helpful. Not only will you be the recipient of many new insights, you will feel great knowing that you are also contributing to someone else’s success.
Take a look at the relationships you have created and rely upon. What roles have you assigned to whom. Here are just a few examples: nurturing and restoring, allowing you to maintain the status quo, spiritual ambassador, gossip and complaining, goal directed and personal development. What support roles are lacking?
Cynthia explains that there are several areas that one can look for support including: non-profit organizations, professional associations, career centers, personal coaches, your place of employment. We would like to believe that 3 Degrees Connected™ Women's Network is a great organization focused on support. If you have interest in joining us, please check us out. We would love to create a mutually beneficial relationship with you.
This article was written by Rhonda W. Geneva, SendOutCards™ Independent Distributor, and President of 3 Degrees Connected™ Women's Network.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Our Next Event - February 23, 2011
Why do we not achieve our goals?
In our first event of 2010, we focused on setting SMART goals. Mitzi Taylor of Not so Basic Training showed us the formula we should use to create Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-based Goals. This focus was assuming that most of us knew what we were aiming for. I heard it said: "You will be 1000 times more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down". Does this mean if we apply pen to paper that we will succeed?
What's Happened to Last Year's Goals?
Many of us may be uncertain of what last years goals really were. We may not have taken time to evaluate our progress. We may have stopped short by never beginning to make progress. Maybe it is because we lacked the motivation, but more than likely it was because we didn't know where to start. In the words of Dr. Phil "How's that working for you?"
Seriously, Now is not the time to be sarcastic about our progress, but to dig a little deeper and find out what we can do to change the outcome.
Be Unstoppable . . . and Find Your Passion will be the focus for this event.
Presented by: Rhonda Geneva, President of 3 Degrees Connected, and Barb VerCande, Life Coach of Create a New Story.
This event is free, space is limited to the first 40 registered members or guests.
We hope we can help you find your greatness in 2011.
In our first event of 2010, we focused on setting SMART goals. Mitzi Taylor of Not so Basic Training showed us the formula we should use to create Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-based Goals. This focus was assuming that most of us knew what we were aiming for. I heard it said: "You will be 1000 times more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down". Does this mean if we apply pen to paper that we will succeed?
What's Happened to Last Year's Goals?
Many of us may be uncertain of what last years goals really were. We may not have taken time to evaluate our progress. We may have stopped short by never beginning to make progress. Maybe it is because we lacked the motivation, but more than likely it was because we didn't know where to start. In the words of Dr. Phil "How's that working for you?"
Seriously, Now is not the time to be sarcastic about our progress, but to dig a little deeper and find out what we can do to change the outcome.
Be Unstoppable . . . and Find Your Passion will be the focus for this event.
Presented by: Rhonda Geneva, President of 3 Degrees Connected, and Barb VerCande, Life Coach of Create a New Story.
This event is free, space is limited to the first 40 registered members or guests.
We hope we can help you find your greatness in 2011.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Defining Moments
This morning as I sat in my car I was listening to the audio version of Kody Bateman's book Promptings, I found myself paying particular attention to the wording "Defining Moment" he spoke of in chapter one. Kody talks openly about one very significant "defining moment" that prompted him to start his Multimillion dollar Send Out Cards business. This defining moment came in 1989 with the death of his brother Chris. Although I've listened to this story at least two dozen times, this morning I thought about how this moment created the momentum necessary to understand his life's purpose.
Kody talks about
The definition of "Defining" according to Merrimam-Webster's dictionary
1. to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of (whatever defines us as human), to discover and set forth the meaning of (as a word), or to create on a computer (define a window or procedure)
2. to fix or mark the limits of demarcate (rigidly defined property line), to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline (the issues aren't too well defined).
3. to characterize or distinguish (you define yourself by the choices you make)
As I thought about Kody's message and the significance of understanding not only who we are, but what we do with who we are, I realized that it would be an excellent exercise for me to look back over time and recognize the significance of such moments in my own life.
One of my first defining moments came in 1994 when I made the decision that my life was more important than the possession I had accumulated and I walked away from nearly everything to start my life anew. This was a defining moment that helped me to realize that one is never stuck in a bad marriage, in a bad job, or in bad circumstances. That defining moment resulted in a tremendous advances in my career, and finding out more about the person I wished to be. Within less than four years I had increased my income 250% and I was enjoying life again.
Another defining moment came in 1998 when I made the decision to take a vacation and attend a seminar that taught me about the origin of beliefs. This study helped me to recognize the significance of transparent beliefs. Transparent beliefs are beliefs that we attach to so closely that they become part of our identity. They go unnoticed and when unchecked they create patterns or repeated experiences. The stories we tell ourselves about who we are often will reveal transparent beliefs. One seminar led to another and I cleared up a lot of beliefs that I had held on to tightly and didn't realize the impact that they had on my life and my direction. Then using the techniques that I had learned through these studies I came to the realization that there were beliefs I held on to that led me in the direction of being an employee rather than a business owner. Answering some very specific questions helped me realize that I no longer had to be caught in the corporate environment trying to break the glass ceiling.
The next defining moment came in 2004 when my husband and I began the first journey to become adoptive parents to a child born internationally. This adoption led me to study life and culture as it relates to women in other parts of the world. As a result of becoming a parent now to two children born overseas, my vision of the world has significantly changed and I do not believe that I will ever take my birthplace for granted nor my interest in being of service to others lightly.
I would encourage you to look within your own life and see what defining moments have shaped the person that you are and determined the direction you should head.
This article was written by Rhonda W. Geneva a SendOutCards Distributor and owner of Geneva Girls Designs.
Kody talks about
- Inner Promptings - those things that define who you are, and
- Outer Promptings - those things that define what you will do with who you are.
The definition of "Defining" according to Merrimam-Webster's dictionary
1. to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of (whatever defines us as human), to discover and set forth the meaning of (as a word), or to create on a computer (define a window or procedure)
2. to fix or mark the limits of demarcate (rigidly defined property line), to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline (the issues aren't too well defined).
3. to characterize or distinguish (you define yourself by the choices you make)
As I thought about Kody's message and the significance of understanding not only who we are, but what we do with who we are, I realized that it would be an excellent exercise for me to look back over time and recognize the significance of such moments in my own life.
One of my first defining moments came in 1994 when I made the decision that my life was more important than the possession I had accumulated and I walked away from nearly everything to start my life anew. This was a defining moment that helped me to realize that one is never stuck in a bad marriage, in a bad job, or in bad circumstances. That defining moment resulted in a tremendous advances in my career, and finding out more about the person I wished to be. Within less than four years I had increased my income 250% and I was enjoying life again.
Another defining moment came in 1998 when I made the decision to take a vacation and attend a seminar that taught me about the origin of beliefs. This study helped me to recognize the significance of transparent beliefs. Transparent beliefs are beliefs that we attach to so closely that they become part of our identity. They go unnoticed and when unchecked they create patterns or repeated experiences. The stories we tell ourselves about who we are often will reveal transparent beliefs. One seminar led to another and I cleared up a lot of beliefs that I had held on to tightly and didn't realize the impact that they had on my life and my direction. Then using the techniques that I had learned through these studies I came to the realization that there were beliefs I held on to that led me in the direction of being an employee rather than a business owner. Answering some very specific questions helped me realize that I no longer had to be caught in the corporate environment trying to break the glass ceiling.
The next defining moment came in 2004 when my husband and I began the first journey to become adoptive parents to a child born internationally. This adoption led me to study life and culture as it relates to women in other parts of the world. As a result of becoming a parent now to two children born overseas, my vision of the world has significantly changed and I do not believe that I will ever take my birthplace for granted nor my interest in being of service to others lightly.
I would encourage you to look within your own life and see what defining moments have shaped the person that you are and determined the direction you should head.
This article was written by Rhonda W. Geneva a SendOutCards Distributor and owner of Geneva Girls Designs.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Events for November and December 2010
Check out the following events to keep your finances in check during the holidays:
Upcoming Events - November & December
Thank you for sharing Bobbie Twa, Changing Directions
January 21-22, 2011 - Another Event for Women
November 13, 2010 - Pamper and Protect
Thank you for sharing: Dr. Sara Young, Lakeshore Family Chiropractic Health & Wellness
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
