Donate for Activism

There has been no shortage of lessons this past year; and while I’ve never had an easy go of it, life has opened my eyes, enriched my soul and humbled me. I’ve received nothing but support for the work I’ve been doing for the past year and it always sends a little shock through me when someone thanks me for my activism work. I always wonder what there is to thank me for. To me, my life seems a bit frivolous at times ~ gallivanting around the world fighting for a cause that I would give my life for. These aren’t exactly the actions of a responsible early 30’s adult. But this life of professional volunteerism is not everything it seems to be. It would appear that traveling is glamorous, that I have infinite freedom due to the fact that I don’t have a “real” job and that I’m incredibly fulfilled by speaking out for the cause. While all of this is definitely true, the side that is not readily seen (except by those of you who have the pleasure of listening to me complain) is the struggle and frustration and honestly, the fear, of not having an income. Those plane tickets don’t come free (or cheap, for that matter) and like I mentioned in my last blog, the credit card companies don’t give me a break simply because I don’t have an income. Capitol One has never tucked a thank you note for my activism work into my monthly bill. The world with an empty wallet is a very scary place. Something as simple as buying a box of tampons becomes a major issue when you literally don’t even have five dollars. So if I don’t have five dollars for something that is a necessity to me, how do I come up with airfare for the next campaign? One of those lessons I’ve learned this year is that I absolutely suck at fundraising. I’ve always preferred to suffer quietly and asking for money doesn’t come easily or naturally to me. But another lesson learned is that it is absolutely imperative to follow your dreams and live life to the fullest. I’ve lost a lot of people and I’ve learned how very fickle this life can be; you can never know when your time will be up. My dear friend Rob (plug: Floater’s music is life-altering and you should buy all their albums) said to me in an email once that “life never ceases to amaze those who challenge it to do so”. How true, my friend….how very true. I’m challenging life because I want to be amazed and I’m asking each of you reading this to help me be amazed. I have been granted my Australian visa which allows me to spend one year living and working Down Under. I already have a place to live in Melbourne and work waiting for me. I will also be volunteering within the koala and kangaroo conservation world. I have a goal of $3,000 to reach preferably by the end of October. I need $2,000 for a plane ticket to Australia and $1,000 to live on until I start getting regular paychecks. If you support my activism work and would like to see me continue it, please consider donating. There are two ways to donate: #1) click the ‘donate’ button in the sidebar of my blog and donate via PayPal or #2) click the ‘Donate to Activism’ title and be taken to my Fundly.com account. This choice allows you to see how much has been donated and how much more I need in order to reach my goal. Also, please consider signing up to follow my blog via email. What never ceases to amaze me is the following of phenomenal people that have supported and encouraged me every step of the way this past year. Where would I be without each and every one of you?