Overcoming Busy

Too Busy To See Outside Ourselves?

February 10, 2010 by Marci

I have always wanted my kids to realize that they are not alone in this world.  It is not all about them.  That is a hard lesson to teach little ones whose worlds are so small.  I think the reason I want so badly for them to look outside themselves is that I struggle in this area.  When I see or hear about someone who could use some help or encouragement, I think “I’ll give them a call or take them a meal or send them a note, after I….”  And it never gets done.  I get so busy and caught up in my own personal agenda and to-do list that I lose sight of others.  Still, I try to teach it to my kids-  and by action when I take the time.

My kids are still small – 8 and 4.  Yet, I get frustrated sometimes when they seem so “me” centered.  When I see that in myself, I get even more upset.  I do see glimmers of hope in my kids when they sit down and make an art project for someone or decide they should save the last cookie for Daddy to eat when he gets home.  That makes me feel good.

She get’s it!

A while back, my 8 year old daughter asked if she could do a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  I just said “We’ll see” and went on.  Does she really know what she is asking?  How much money can an 8 year old raise anyway?  Well, now that she has started her jewelry business and is making money, she asked again.  So, I asked her “Why do you want to raise money for St. Jude?  Write it down for me.”  This is what she wrote.

The reason I want to raise money for St. Jude is because I watched Extreme Home Makeover and there was a boy who had leukemia and I really wanted to help in some way.  In another episode, there was a girl who raised money for kids with cancer and other life threatening diseases.  I think I can, too, now that I have my own business.  I would like to donate my February profits from Dallas Designs to St. Jude.

I was a little teary-eyed reading that. So, what was I supposed to do now?  Discourage her from thinking about someone else other than herself?  Tell her she was too young to take on such a project?

Making a difference

I am pleased to tell you that Dallas launched her fund raising campaign on Dallas Designs one week ago and has raised over $50 so far!  She is so excited!  Right now, Dallas is busy making a pair of earrings for an auction benefiting a St. Jude patient in our area this weekend.  Then, she is making some more earrings for her shop.

Can you do me a favor?  Check out Dallas Designs.  New styles of earrings and maybe a few new surprises will be added throughout the month. Please pass the word about her fundraiser for St. Jude.  It is a great cause and it is so great to see my daughter not be too busy to see and act outside herself.  What a great lesson for me!

I am thinking of starting her a either a blog or facebook fan page for Dallas Designs.  Just trying to think of free advertising for her.  Any input either way? ( I would be monitoring  either one.  She would just be in charge of her content.)