Tweetsgiving 2009: the Power of Gratitude

I want to build a more expansive and collaborative future for all of us, so that more people can follow their passion, don't you? 

A human life is a precious gift. Each comes with the potential of Leonardo da Vinci - it's all there, just waiting to be seen, ignited, and engaged.

Epic Change is giving us a means to help do that with a worthy goal - that of human achievement through the power of gratitude.

Thus tweetsgiving was born last year, collecting $10,000 to benefit children in Arusha, Tanzania. A new classroom, and a window to the world of knowledge as the result.

Thanks to my friend Danny Brown, I know about this project and can in turn inform this community.

The action of saying thanks

There is so much to be grateful for. In a world that at times seems to have lost the sense of proportion, we need to be mindful that power lies in the spirit. Nurturing the spirit starts with good habits, like the action of giving thanks.

I'm grateful for my amazing mother and my father, for they helped create the context and the means so that I could understand and appreciate joy, learning, and passion - as well as know how to express them through thoughts, words, and actions.

To the teachers who have found me a challenging student and to the students who have challenged me as a teacher, thank you. Both experiences helped me dig deeper, exercise my critical thinking as well as grow an accepting heart. 

I'm grateful for the many friends who have been there for me and who have allowed me to be there for them over the years. For the lovers, the artists, the craftspeople, and writers that have come before me who have shown the way.

To entrepreneurs, a special group if I ever met one, expansive thinkers, mentors, tinkerers, and doers all over the world - we need you now more than ever. Thanks to these tools we call social media we can now connect, collaborate, and create to help communities all over the globe.

I'm grateful for the opportunity and freedom you and I have to write and read about our pursuits and endeavors. For the smallest things - a smile that lights the room - as they are the openings to big hearts. For the curiosity, interest, and attention we have and give.

All of these things and many more are reason to hope and incentive to act on that hope with love. Join me in helping more people achieve their human potential.

 

[image by Darwin Bell]

© 2006-2009 Valeria Maltoni. All rights reserved.

Comments

[Danny Brown]

I don't think I've seen such a cool way to include pretty much everyone that matters to someone, Valeria - nice job! :)

And thank you so much for taking part in this year's Tweetsgiving - you pretty much rock :)

Danny.

[Valeria Maltoni]

Thank you for asking me to participate, Danny. We get to know each other by sharing common interests and projects.