Share Bravery and Volunteer

I've been in touch with a few of you the past couple of weeks, trying to hash out details and snafu's for Bravery. I want to say thank you for your patience with me as I run around in a frenzy trying to coordinate communication between all the many elements that will make Bravery successful. Those of you who are making calls for inkind donations for me and have volunteered your experienced skills have helped me feel like I am not alone in the efforts to bring Bravery together.

I have confirmed 8 items so far for the Ebay auction. Since the goal is to have 50 items or more for people to bid on, I will need more volunteers to contact companies for inkind donations. Keep in mind that there are people from all across the country who will be viewing Bravery and bidding on the auction, so request items from companies that can be redeemed anywhere in the US as well as items here in Arizona and in other states. In return for the donations, Bravery will market the company as a sponsor on the website, Ebay, and on some collateral materials where appropriate. Please contact me for more information.

The financial goal of Bravery is to collect $10,000.00 per beneficiary and there are 10, which means a total of $100,000.00 by the end of October. None of this is for Bravery Project, Inc.; it is all for the nonprofits who are doing such great work and service for others in need. This may be a high goal, but obtainable with your help. For example, if 10 businesses are willing to donate $1,000.00 each, then 10% of the goal has been made. Breaking it down into bite size chunks and working together produces amazing results. I believe we can do it! A donation request letter has been created that can be used to send to businesses. If you would like to go this route, please let me know.

One of the best ways to market something is through good old fashioned word-of-mouth. On the Bravery Project website, is a link to a page where you can share Bravery with others. My business card, a simple flyer about the online show and auction, Powerpoint presentation, and posters are available to be emailed, downloaded and printed along with a list of ideas on how you can help spread the word about Bravery. If you have any trouble with downloading any of the items, let me know as well. We have only two months before showtime!!

~ Together We Can Make A Difference ~

The Continuum

I don't know about everyone else, but 2007 has moved like a movie on fast forward. There are many things I had planned to do and never fulfilled. Now that Christmas has come and gone, we are faced with the idea of a new beginning--psychologically anyway. Many people will think of January as the start date of a diet and exercise plan or the time to set goals to finish projects. Calendars are like the "matrix" of our minds this time of year. I am not immune to the excitement of a clean calendar; however, thanks to the portrait project, this year is a little bit different for me.

The Bravery project started out as a discussion between me and my husband while sitting on the porch in Prescott late last summer. What began as a thoughtful conversation has become a driving force in my life--a dream with a clear plan and purpose. It's easy to think of all the separate things I want to start in 2008, but what strikes me most is the continuum of this project. In otherwords, what really matters at the turn of the year is the consistent efforts we make towards our goals and dreams, not the new ones we set for January 1st.

Time can be put into perspective by simply thinking of what dream you have and starting it NOW. There isn't any reason to wait. In fact, some of the most successful people are those who know what they want, work out the steps, immediately begin action, and stay consistent no matter what the calendar or clock says. In fact, that is what victims of domestic abuse have to face in their lives. One major difference, of course, is that you probably won't die from a heart attack if you don't stick to your New Year's diet plan, but a battered spouse could perish from one more beating. One of my volunteers planned her escape for four long years and managed success with thoughtful planning and consistency. When I think of all the wishy washy resolutions that I've made and broken in the past, it makes me see how silly I've been.

Survivors are people who follow the continuum and you can see it if you ever sit down and talk to one. They follow the same philosophy in other aspects of their lives as they continue to heal from experience. Once fearful and timid , they emerge with one of the best lessons in life to fulfill long held dreams and become a fearless mover and shaker in the community. I plan to learn from the inspiration of these people. If I want to change something in my diet, I will begin with my next meal. If I want to learn a new skill, I will begin today. If I want to set and meet new goals, I will plan and start now and continue through the blur of dates until I finish. You could say it's one way of breaking out of the psychology matrix.

So, with that said, I wish everyone a wonderful New Year holiday and success along the continuum of life.

~HAPPY NEW YEAR~