Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Birthday Present

Barbara and Deb: Deb and I have been sooooo busy lately that we haven’t had even a minute for official blog-business talk amongst ourselves. The craziness of our lives lately has reflected in many ways: we’ve missed reading your blogs (sorry! we’ll be back), we’ve let a few things slide around our “house” here, and we never got around to talking about the next steps we want to take. Life is like that, huh?

Well, yesterday we finally had a chance to take stock and ask some questions about where we want to go next and how we want to do it.

So, first things first.

As you may have noticed, there are ads on our blog. If I remember correctly, we decided to include the ads because Blogher is the host and they’re such a big network and we thought it might a) help broaden our readership and b) maybe generate a bit of income toward some of the work a blog requires. But, as most “practical” decisions in our lives, that went out the window when we realized there was a little bit of cash in the kitty and that we might need to decide what to do with that cash: divvy it up, let it ride, go out for lunch, etc, etc…

It took us all of ten seconds of discussion to realize we could donate the money! Now, of course, Deb and I donate to many worthy causes in our respective lives, and proudly so, but we didn’t just want to make a random decision when it came to donating the Blogher ads revenue. This was a trickier conversation—we didn’t want to begin a complex discussion every year as to which charity would best deserve it because, of course, all of them deserve it (even if it is a modest amount, it’s the principle, right?).

Then Deb made what I think is a genius and lovely suggestion: what if we looked back over the year that we’ve had in our blogiverse and make our decision based on the wondrous and magical (and, frankly, miraculous) and unexpected direction that this blog has taken us and then give back to that particular world? And if we look back over our last year in terms of “organic” development, then it’s obvious that, without the blog, we would never have gone to Costa Rica (thanks again, Gift of Happiness!) and without the Gift of Happiness, we would never have discovered Pack for a Purpose, the charity that encourages travellers to bring gifts to the country they’re visiting.

And I made another lovely suggestion (if I do say so myself): what if we made our yearly donation in the week of our shared birthdays—which, as many of you know—is the end of this week?

In the years to come, we would like to go where the blog organically leads us and make donations based on that our experiences.


So there you have it: Pack for a Purpose has received a small donation from us this year—and we give that amount in honour of all of YOU. It can be a birthday present from all of us to all of us.

20 comments:

  1. Awww that is such a nice idea! I'm not the biggest fan of earning money with ads (at youtube it annoys when I have to watch the ad first, before I can see the vid), but donating the money is wonderful - just like you two are.^^

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  2. I wish you two would stop being so wonderful all the time! Happy Birthday!

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  3. OMG you girls are AMAZING!!!!!! Thats a wonderful gift from all of us to ALL OF US!!! (thanks for involving us BTW. Love you girls! Mwah!) So on behalf of all of us I'd like to ask "So... what do you think about this Birthday (donation) present we gave ourselves?" and say "OMG....I LOVE IT.. Its so amazing....I didnt expect we'd give this to ourselves!!".

    Donating is just so so the right way to go. I always wanted to donate blood two days before my birthday. Because one I'm O+ so I'm a universal donor and because saving someone's life would be a wonderful Birthday gift! But I couldnt donate last year coz of my medical stuff! BUT THIS YEAR!!! I'm doing it!!!

    And Sooooo love your gesture...its so wonderful!!! In advance HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BOTH of you! You made my life better! LOVE YOU BOTH <3 xoxoxoxo

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  4. Great idea. I will click away today and every time I am here. I have done that with my blog since I had ads and I have donated the money to charity as well. Great minds think alike so whenever I see one on yours I will click and ask your readers to do the same with mine. http://madgew-musings.blogspot.com/

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  5. Oh, that's a wonderful idea! I know what you mean about real life running away with you. Where does the time go? Anyway, a very happy (and early) birthday to you both, and thank you for making our lives brighter. xoxo

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  6. That was a good decision :)
    I always thought that if i ever became rich i would be donating to charities left and right. I like that i was included in making money for your donation, even if it was like $1 or something, it's still nice to help. ^-^

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  7. I love the process you took to reach your decision ladies. May your birthdays be blessed with family, friends and good times!

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  8. Ahh what an awesome idea! You guys' birthdays and talk of our countries' birthdays and all you huys think if of givig back!! Two amazing people you guys are :) Happy Birthday!

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  9. That's an amazing idea! Happy Birthday from me too!

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  10. That's a fantastic idea! This blog has become a place where we can reach out to each other. We do it on purpose by sending wishes to someone's ailing relative. it happens quietly when the right word goes in the right ear.It's all about giving back, and it's a perfect idea to give back to a charity that's had an impact on us. Thanks for including us. We thank you. xo

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  11. Thanks, guys! You are all so so sweet. Love that this resonates with you.

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  12. Aw what a lovely idea!
    When are your birthdays?? Mine's tomorrow! (or in 2 days for you, I think. It's the 6th).

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  13. Hmmmm... well, I guess I'll find the ads less annoying, now. ;)

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  14. Ok I can't help myself..I have to... I just about flipped my lid two minutes ago. I watch the Late Late show on CBS (its on after Letterman. Craig Ferguson hosts it. Here its at like 12:35 AM) But guess who I just saw is gonna be on his show the 24th! (shhh Deb you already know :) ) Yes Colin : ) With Rigels story the other day I thought I should share this news LOL ... Ok back to watching fireworks now. Happy 4th everybody.

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    1. I had no idea he is going to be on! I love Craig Ferguson!!!! (okay, had a fangirl moment there). So glad you shared this, Kelly !!! :)

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    2. I totally had that same moment LOL : )

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  15. Happy 4th of July, all our American friends!!!! (thanks, Kelly, for the fun news :) ) xoxo

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  16. What a wonderful idea! Fantastic way to pay it forward.
    Happy 4th everyone!

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