A Summer to Remember

If you are wondering where I've been...

A three week vacation to Europe had my mind in a mush.

My out-of-office reply was on a little longer than expected.

Summer months brought a natural slower pace for my family—mostly because of a pause from sports activities.

When you see where I’ve been and what I’ve seen, you can catch a glimpse of why my mind has been mushy.

Typically, my life-long plan and journey is to give to others regularly, but I’ve found myself on the receiving end. This is not a selfish or bad thing—a true necessity.

My book title “Giving is Selfish" is a true testament to how I think about the world. That giving to other boomerangs back to us. That we receive when we give.

So where has all my giving been this summer?

Mostly toward my family—warm days at the beach, hiking and singing silly songs along the way, splashing in the pool, and simply enjoying the weather (whatever it may be).

I’m a mom and that job requires me to give of myself.

Already this fall, I’ve been back in my volunteer roles: Boy Scouts popcorn fundraiser organizer, delivered my neighbor’s groceries to the food pantry as soon as I came back, and my nonprofit job has me busy writing grants and asking for fiscal year-end donations.

I need to give myself credit, but my You Are A Philanthropist podcast has taken a summer break.

I’ll be back next month! Yesterday, I made an appearance on the Philanthropy Masterminds Series webcast!