Help with Food
WHY GIVE SOMETHING UP
Why start a paragraph with the topic of resentment, well it is one thing that will happen if you're asked to give something up, even to help another person. Some say it is also a defense mechanism or even a fear. This chatter is found all over the internet, yes even a US congressman suggested recently that some of the less affluent members of society should give up their telephones. That thought was met with vigorous speech both for and against his opinion. It is so easy for all to think "this or that and post a comment" then boom, it's out there, all this chatter positive, negative, and all in between. You can imagine, the poor with phones were against giving them up and resented the congressman's statement.
Another example of this right now in the United States is Healthcare. Health care is a multifaceted problem with multifaceted solutions from hundreds of thousands of people who at most think this and that about the magical solution, most of those solutions involve some element of people being asked to give something up. Nobody likes to give anything up, especially when it comes to their health or their families health care. I believe, not very many people will be happily on board to give something up, to help the common good. Yes, there is an opposite element but not proportionately large.
Let's go over the top. Let's talk about giving a pint of blood. What would it take for you to give up a pint of blood? A blood drive, a friend, or would it take something like a critically wounded person lying bleeding on your lawn or in your living room and the emergency personnel screaming we need a pint of blood to save this person. I wonder who would give sooner, or later, or neither.
I guess the same argument and a similar visualization could be used for food and education.
We don't have a good visual for a child who never went to school. Sometimes we need a stronger message, we need someone to paint the image of the child. For children who missed an education, I say, that might of been the person to cure cancer or the one to invent clean energy. Sometimes I think that one might have brought democracy and freedom or better yet the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Then, I have often wondered why it's so much easier for a child to give something up than for an adult. My name is Mark Presson, I am the CEO for Star of Hope I can write and say this because I have traveled and met people and seen the reactions.
I've been talking to groups, youth, adult, children, and families and I see and experience that children give easier than adults. I never take any donation from a child unless of course their parents are there and want to do a lesson of the giving, yet you would be amazed at how many children would give up the $2 in their pocket that they were going to use for candy or ice cream and give it to me after I have shared with them about how little children have it in some of the poorest places on our planet.
The children I am speaking of have no resentment whatsoever; these children are full of emotion with joy and want to give from their heart. Were we all like that once?
Yes, we have grown used to hearing the critic's voice, it is easy for the critic to be heard, (thank you internet), some say, “shall I give to these non-profits with super inflated salaries" or we hear “let me tell you I am broke and I take care of mine only" and then some just say "...good for you Star of Hope and Good luck" but we are not giving now.
People who give, specifically adults, who give by choice are usually happier people than most. I did not say more affluent, more important or simply richer; no, they are just happier. It is proven that those who give of their time, talent or treasure are happier, fact.
From blood to coffee: a study done last year showed that the average America spends close to $1,000 on coffee per year per person. That is an incredible amount of money and I don't know if I believe that number, but it’s one we can work with and think about if we or you could perhaps go without a coffee.
I wonder, can we give up a few coffee drinks under a short specified time and do something fantastic with that money. Yes!, I used the money word! Just like a small amount of blood can save the one who needs blood and also the same thing could be said about the small amount of cash from foregone snacks, candy, chips, coca-cola, an entertainment expense. Yes, we probably all spend a lot more than we think we do.
I feel the huge "elephant in the room" in the USA with money is of course retirement and we are not talking about that, however, a close second with all people is trying to get an iron grip on the amount of their discretionary spending. Generally speaking, we're not very careful with our personal discretionary spending and that is the money I want to talk to you about right now as it is often 2, 3, or 5 times more than we "feel" it was or is, but of course, if and when we look at the credit card or check statement we just shake our heads and say hmm or worse.
I want your help with the allocation of a small amount of your discretionary spending, specifically the part that comes from you "giving something up in partnership with no resentment". I do not want your 10% tithe, I don't want your paycheck, I do not want your boat or that old hot rod or other gifts and there is a reason why.
A small portion of your discretionary (think voluntary) spending can change a life, It can educate, heal, build, share, care and more. All the small amounts when put together make a huge force of change.
There are people who need your help and you can help them very simply by giving up an indulgence, a movie, or dinner out. It will make you stronger too. This inner strength comes from a project that will support you. It is called (Skip it to Give it) or #skipittogiveit. “Skip it to Give it” happens for two weeks in October and you can do it individually, in your family, or a group.
I am asking you the question, will you let a coffee or a snack take the role of "life changing for a child in need?" Please then take a look at the campaign page, see who and what your coffee, candy, snack, dinner cash will do and then ask yourself when you're finished looking at the page and the video that explained all things about the campaign “why not, why can't my family give something up for 2 weeks and help somebody? Pretend they are bleeding in your living room and then ask "will I help"?
Join "Skip it to Give it" here.
Thank you and Rich Blessings to you and yours!
Get the package here!
Mark Presson CEO 
