The Honeybee's Lifestyle

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  • I AM a Philanthropist

    Hello Honeybees,

    I am a philanthropist!!

    When people hear the word philanthropist they usually think, Oprah, Bill & Melinda Gates or Warren Buffett , you know MONEY, BIG MONEY! The month of April taught me that REAL philanthropy is not just about money but it’s about giving back with your time too. Now, I am truly not in the big money category YET but I am in the time category.  As a working single parent my time is precious so where I spend my time is very important. I work for a nonprofit so I understand how valuable it is when someone wants to give to an organization whether that be time or money. So outside of the work that I do for A Step Ahead Foundation I give my time to the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM).

    The mission of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis is to encourage philanthropy and foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential.

    The month of April saw the WFGM in full swing honoring 3 women in Memphis who have made a difference in the community. Edith Kelly-Green (Philanthropy & Leadership Award), Barbara Holden Nixon (Innovation Award) & Pat Morgan (Catalyst Award). These three outstanding women were honored at the Legends Award Reception. I volunteered my time for this event. It was during Mrs. Kelly-Green’s acceptance speech that it finally hit me….I am a philanthropist. Although she was being honored for her work as a philanthropist, she stressed the importance of giving money but most importantly the giving of time. On this night I was a philanthropist.

    Two weeks after the Legends Award Reception was one of the premier philanthropic events of the year. The Annual Tribute Luncheon. Can you imagine over 1.600 people coming together to support the efforts of the WFGM? Well, you don’t have to imagine it because if you live in Memphis you were there or you know someone that was. The guest speaker was one of my SHEroes Ms. Tamron Hall.  Tamron spoke about the diversity in the room, how important the work being done by the WFGM in the 38126 zip code is to our community and overcoming obstacles. She also spoke about the charities that are important to her. Tamron Hall is a philanthropist. I also volunteered my time for this event. On this day I too was a philanthropist.

    It’s not always about the money.

    Now don’t get me wrong, it takes money to fund charities and programs, but it also takes the time that people donate to help nonprofits move the needle. We all have some free time to help others. Think about it this way… You didn’t get to where you are without the help of someone else.

    I am a philanthropist……….are you?

    Belinda Bloggingwithbee

    Beewisdom- Philanthropy is part of the path to heaven- Tamron Hall

  • What I Learned At St Jude

    Hello Honeybees,

    As a parent I am always worried and concerned when one of my boys is sick. This allergy season has been really rough on my youngest. The worst year yet for him. I just can not imagine how the parents of children at St Jude feel. These children are dealing with life threatening illnesses. 

    If you live in Memphis you know what a gem we have in our city in St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I also believe that we take this gem for granted. I know that I am guilty. We all know about the good work that happens at St Jude. I know that families never have to pay for the medical treatments that their child receive. I know that families from out of town have a place to stay so that they can be near their children at the Ronald McDonald House , Target House or Tri Delta Place.

    E for Expenses at St Jude

    As part of the Memphis Blogger & Influencer meetup I had the opportunity to take a tour of St. Jude and learned some very interesting facts.

    St Jude Memphis Blogger Ambassadors

    Did you know that Danny Thomas, founder of St Jude, was instrumental in helping to desegregate the hospitality industry in Memphis? Before there was Ronald McDonald House families stayed at hotels which were not open to people of color. Danny told the hotels that if they couldn’t open their rooms to all that he would take his business elsewhere.

    Did you know that it was the lack of quality healthcare of an African American boy that lead Danny to start St Jude?

    St. Jude Statue

    Did you know that the original architect for St Jude was African American? Paul Williams learned to draw his renderings upside down because he couldn’t be on the same side of the table as Caucasians.  

    To know that St Jude has so much history outside of the medical miracles that it performs everyday is mind blowing.  As part of my #followmeinto50 I am planning to do a fundraising event for St Jude so stay tuned.

    Remember this line because you will see it again….”If you can’t give green, give red”  if you know what that means let me know in the comments.

    BelindaBloggingwithbee

    Beewisdom- Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others- Danny Thomas

  • Apples & Oranges

    Hello Honeybees,

    In my March lessons learned post I talked about people not being who they POST to be. I received a lot of positive feedback from that lesson. People understand that sentiment. I’ve heard people say that they don’t follow certain people because it makes them feel “unhappy” about their own lives. To that I say if it makes you that unhappy then it is absolutely in your best interest to not follow. But I also say that you should not compare your apples to their oranges

    Some will share the good & the not so good, while others will only share the good. If you are only seeing the good then you by into the “they have the perfect life ” but come on now…we all know that no one has a perfect life.

    Their apple tree is not always bearing fruit. Just like your orange tree is not always bearing oranges. There is always a harvest time.  There is always a time where you must pick the fruit to make room for the next.  It’s that time between the picking season & the next harvest that people don’t share.

    Here are 3 ways to help you move past comparing your apples to other peoples oranges:

    1. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

    No matter where you are in your life you have something to be grateful for. You may not have the million dollar house or the fancy car or the smartest kids but what you do have is a place to sleep, a car that goes from point A to point B and kids that are alive & healthy. Do not discount that. Count it all joy!

    1. BE OK WITH IMPERFECTION

    It’s ok to NOT be perfect. There is no such thing as a perfect person. God made only one YOU. You are unique. Own it and move forward being the best you that you can be.

    1. FOCUS ON YOUR JOURNEY

    Your starting point could be someone’s middle or end. Focus on where you want to go and the steps that you need to take to get there. You lose sight of your goal and precious time comparing your journey to others.

    Have I fallen victim to the comparison game…..of course I have and will again BUT it’s acknowledging it, letting it go and refocusing that is important. I totally use my social media “family” as inspiration, not to keep up but to keep it moving.

    Belinda

    Who are some of your social media inspirational influencers?

    Beewisdom- Don’t compare yourself with anyone else in the world. If you do you are insulting yourself- dailyquotes.com