Sunday, December 27, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Compliments

A compliment is a gift, not to be thrown away carelessly, unless you want to hurt the giver.

Eleanor Hamilton

Thursday, December 24, 2009

On this Christmas Eve, I just wanted to take a moment and
leave you with a little story:

The story has been around a while, in fact, I'm not even
sure where it comes from originally or how I came across it.

I like this story because it reminds me that we get one
shot, so we better be giving our best every single time.

Anyway, this story is called "The Carpenter's Mistake" and
it goes like this...

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his
employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house
building business and live a more leisurely life with his
wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the
paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked
if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.

The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that
his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy
workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an
unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to
inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key
to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "My gift to you."

What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was
building his own house, he would have done it all so
differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built
none too well.

And so it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted
way, re-acting rather than acting, willing to put up less
than the best. At important points we do not give the job
our best efforts.

Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created
and find that we are now living in the house we have built.

If we had realized, we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. And your life is your house.

Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a
wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will everbuild.
Even if you live it for only one day more, that day
deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.

The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project."

This is the so true, isn't it?

Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices
in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your
attitudes and the choices you make today.

So choose wisely.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Appropriateness

The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.

Charles Dudley Warner

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Gifts

The great art of giving consists in this: the gift should cost very little and yet be greatly coveted, so that it may be the more highly appreciated.

Baltasar Gracian

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Presents

Giving presents is a talent; to know what a person wants, to know when and how to get it, to give
it lovingly and well.

Pamela Glenconner

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Manure on the Ground

Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow.

- Thornton Wilder

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Friends

Purchase not friends by gifts; when thou ceasest to give, such will cease to love.

- Thomas Fuller

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - What You Want

“You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

— Zig Ziglar

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Money Attitude

“If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.”

— Billy Graham

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Money

As base a thing as money often is, yet it can be transmuted into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the hungry and clothing for the poor.
— A.W. Tozer

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Give Time

You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.

-- Albert Schweitzer

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Three Things

….the three things we crave most in life -- happiness, freedom, and peace of mind -- are always attained by giving them to someone else.

Peyton Conway March

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Liberation

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.

Maya Angelou

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Intent

The spirit in which a thing is given ...; it's the intention, not the face-value of the gift, that's weighed.

- Seneca

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Lets Say Thanks!

Is the website for sending a postcard to the troops in Iraq for real?

According to Snopes.com it is. Whew. I'm glad. I'd hate to find out
that all this work (21,000+ sent) was for naught.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/letssaythanks.asp

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Gifts

Gifts allow us to demonstrate exactly how little we know about a person.

- Pam Davis

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Generosity

Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.

- Kahlil Gibran (1883 - 1931)

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - What You Have

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Children

If you want to see what children can do, you must stop giving them things.

- Norman Douglas

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Monday, July 13, 2009

Have YOU Found the Magic Button

I read "The Ultimate Supertip" and found it to be an interesting read.

If you've read it. Please comment below - let me know what
you think about it. If you haven't read it - you really should.

I think it's a great little free ebook.

If you want to know more of what I found, read my review.

You too can discover the Magic Button.


- Ralph
Founder, The Massive Giving Group
Give 'til YOU Smile!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Points of Light

I have spoken of a thousand points of light, … spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good.

-George H. W. Bush

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Wealth

Many people despise wealth, but few know how to give it away.

- Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Open for Suggestions - The Massive Giving Continues

Anyone have an idea for the next Massive Giving project?

Let me know.


1) One person suggested Family Search indexing: https://www.familysearchindexing.org/home.jsf


Here are some other ideas:


2) www.thehungersite.com The main concept is that if visitors go to the site and simply click on the button 'Give free food-Click here', 1.1 cups of staple food will be given to undernourished and starving human beings in the world.


3) www.therainforestsite.com, click on the button called, 'Save Our Rainforests: Click here', and 'Thank you! Your click has funded the preservation of 11.4 square feet of endangered rainforest.


There are four other sites built out of this same construct:

4) www.thebreastcancersite.com who fund free mammograms,


5) www.thechildhealthsite.com who help provide basic health services to children around the world,


6) www.theliteracysite.com who provide books for children, and


7) www.theanimalrescuesite.com who give food and care to rescued animals in shelters and sanctuaries.


Leave a Comment. Let me know if you are interested in any of these or give me your ideas.


Thanks,- Ralph



P.S. One way or another, the giving continues. You can still send cards to the troops - I continue to give a few each day.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Giving Frees Us

Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.

- Barbara Bush

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Goal Attained! 20,000 Cards Sent to Troops

We ate the elephant!

Back on December 6, 2008, we started this journey to 20,000.

I blogged then:

Do something COOL. Right now. Today!

Help send 20,000 Post Cards to our Troops.

You'll feel great, knowing you've brightened their day.


Over 40 people helped out and now we've done it!

Thanks to each and every one of you who helped.

- Ralph Lyon
Founder, The Massive Giving Group

P.S. You can continue to give. It doesn't have to end here.

P.S.S. If you have an idea for another
Massive Giving Project,
please add a comment below.

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Smile

"I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful."

~Author Unknown

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Being Honored

“No person was ever honored for what he received. He was honored for what he gave.”

– Calvin Coolidge

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Loving

“It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving.”

— Richard Braunstein

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Value

“The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”

— Albert Einstein

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Perfect Day

"You can’t have a perfect day without doing something for someone who’ll never be able to repay you.”

— John Wooden

Saturday, April 18, 2009

How Many 14ers Have You Climbed?

We have sent to our troops almost
14,000 post cards made by elementary
school kids. Onward toward our goal of
20,000.

We are over 2/3's of the way there!!!

Who'll put us on the summit of this 14er?

Let them know you care,
send some post cards:

Send a Post Card

One by one, we'll get it done!

Thanks,
Ralph LyonFounder,
The Massive Giving Group
Give 'til YOU Smile!

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Obligation

It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.

Albert Einstein

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Smile

Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

- Mother Teresa

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Massive Giving Weekly Quote - Be a Hero

A boy doesn't have to go to war to be a hero; he can say he doesn't like pie when he sees there isn't enough to go around.

- Edward W. Howe

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Daily Giving Quote - Generosity

That's what I consider true generosity. You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.

- Simone De Beauvoir

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Daily Giving Quote - Living

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

- Winston Churchill

Friday, March 6, 2009

Red Shirt Fridays

Red Fridays are here.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday.

The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority."

We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

We appreciate your service!

http://www.redshirtfridays.org/

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Daily Giving Quote - Blessed

Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting.

- Princess Elizabeth, Asquith Bibesco

Sunday, February 15, 2009

MASSIVE Giver Feedback

Here are a few comments made by Massive Givers.

"Yesterday on NPR, I heard a report that said 24 members of our armed forces committed suicide in January alone (I think it said that number is about 3 times higher than it was last January). It made me grateful for this small way to let our troops know we care about them. Today I sent 10."

"I have sent about 400 of them.... i do it when I am on conference calls" Editor: Now that's multitasking for good!

"I sent 5 today - will send more tomorrow - and the next day - and the next..."

"I sent 5 today. I found it fun to choose from the postcards. The artwork and thank you message from a child's hand is a wonderful touch. It is really easy to choose a message to include or add your own. Thanks for setting this up."

"I sent one of each on the page. I think there were 72. We have moved to the stage in life where we really don't have needs, other than the need to serve. There will never be "enough" to our service."

"Great I idea doing this. I sent 2 today and plan on sending many more everyday. A small task in comparison to what every solider does for us and the future citizens of our country each day."

"I did 50 while my husband was reading aloud a novel."

"What a great project! You know I'm a softie when it comes to thanking our military heroes (they all are heroes because they serve!) And I'm so-o-o happy to send these cards. I hope we not only make each soldier/sailor/etc smile, but make them feel warm, wonderful, powerfully deep, inspiring emotions of gratitude and Christian love from American citizens. I think I sent 8 on my first click into the project. I'll try to come back often. When I think of Dad... and his 30 years in the U.S. Army, I am all awash in tears of gratitude. The military world was such a part of my life growing up. And living 10 years of my life OUTSIDE of the U.S. absolutely assured that I will always love and appreciate America. Even in the rain today, all my red/white/blue patriotic flags in the yard stand out. They are amidst the red/white/green of Christmas. I never take the red/white/blue down. And in my mind and heart: freedom, democracy, sacrifice are part of Christianity."

"I found your site ..... I went ahead and sent one today but I will continue this and send more. Thanks so very much for doing this!"

Thanks to all of you!

Ralph
Founder, The MASSIVE Giving Group
Give 'til YOU Smile!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Give Said the Little Stream

Join the Massive Giving Group and help GIVE and share Giving opportunities.
Also, add the opportunities you know about by posting them on the Wall: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40056464339

Did you know that you can improve every part of your own life by giving.

Does this sound strange to you? It may, but research shows that giving is one of the best things we can do for ourselves, as well as others.

Giving makes the world a better place. We’ve all felt the personal benefits of giving. You already know in your heart - that giving is a key part of every person's life. Virtually all successful - and certainly all happy people - have discovered the benefits of giving.

Giving enriches us all, the givers as well as the recipients.

There are dramatic benefits to you when you become a better giver. Acts of giving can improve your health. Giving will improve your relationships, your happiness and more.... It helps you live to your potential. It brings more meaning to your life. Giving improves your life.

We each identify and cultivate our own personal giving style. We each have to decide what we can give, when to give, when not to give. We can give tangible items or money. But don’t forget equally important gifts of time, smiles, hope, and friendship.

The purpose of Massive Giving is to provide opportunities to give. Please add comments sharing specific opportunities that you are aware of.

Here are a couple of service opportunities that recently came to my attention.

http://www.usaservice.org/blog/
http://www.americasupportsyou.net/AmericaSupportsYou/index.aspx

So, come along with us at the Massive Giving Group and help GIVE. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40056464339


Ralph Lyon
Founder, The Massive Giving Group

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Massive Giving Event #3

It is a Massive Giving Day .. January 17, 2009.

Please join me in Thanking our soldiers for what they are doing for us.

Please take a minute to send at least one card today.

To take part all you have to do is:

Click Here to Send Cards

Then: Please Click Here to Report how many you sent

Thanks!

I appreciate your efforts.

Ralph
Founder, The Massive Giving Group

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Massive Giving Day #2

I’ve declared today, January 10, 2009, a “Massive Giving Day”.

To Give: Massive Giving

We are always blessed when we give. Here
is an easy way for you to take a few minutes
today to give back a little sunshine to someone
who is giving to you.

What is MassiveGiving Day is all about?

Briefly – it is an opportunity for you to take
a few minutes to show that you appreciate
our soldiers who are serving in Iraq. There
they are putting their lives on the line every
day to defend our freedoms. Don’t you enjoy
what we have here in the USA?

We have our problems, but overall,we have it
pretty darn good. We owe it to those who
have served and those who are serving right
now in the military.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to thank
them today by going to Massive Giving and
sending them a few post cards. It costs you
nothing but a few minutes of your time. They
are giving back to us 100% of their time every
day.

Let them know thatyou are thankful for their
service. Put a smile on their faces for a few
minutes, by letting them know that we care
about them and appreciate what they are
doing for us.

Also, please leave me a comment below, letting
me know what you think of MASSIVE GIVING Day.
How soon should we have another one?

Thanks,
Ralph Lyon
Founder, The Massive Giving Group

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Massive Giving Day #1

If you’ve been following me for the past couple of weeks,
you know that I’ve declared today, January 1, 2009,
a “Massive Giving Day”.

I would appreciate you giving, our soldiers would
appreciate you giving, and you will be blessed for
giving – but the choice is yours.

If you haven’t been following me, then take a look
at Massive Giving to understand what Massive
Giving Day is all about. Briefly – it is an opportunity
to take a few minutes to show that you appreciate
our soldiers who are serving in Iraq. There they are
putting their lives on the line every day to defend
our freedoms. Don’t you enjoy what we have here
in the USA. Yes, we have our problems, but overall,
we have it pretty darn good. And we owe it to those
who have served and those who are serving right
now in the military.

Take a few minutes to thank them today by going to
Massive Giving and sending them a few post cards.
It costs you nothing but a few minutes of your time.
They are giving back to us 100% of their time every day.

Please take a few minutes and let them know that
you are thankful for their service. And while you are
at it, if you know the family of a soldier, call them up
and thank them for the sacrifices they are making
while a member of their family is serving us.

For Giving: Massive Giving


Also, please leave me a comment below, letting me
know what you think of this MASSIVE GIVING Day.

Thanks,
Ralph Lyon
Founder, The Massive Giving Group