A reminder that we don't have to wait until we have a certain amount of money and influence to be the people we want to be.
I've always imagined that a portion of the Questions You'll Wish You Asked journals should be donated to an Alzheimer's ending organization, especially with the amount of messages I get from people who are filling out journals with loved ones struggling with dementia. (There's one especially poignant Amazon review from a woman with early onset Alzheimer's herself, who she says filling out the journal has helped her.)
And while I have made one-off donations here and there, it's been easy with my very modest income to put off a consistent percentage donation into a future "when I have more money."
No more. I'm done doing that because I know better.
There is no charitable and impactful version of us in the future if we don't start doing that where we are today.
From here on out I am donating a percentage of all profits from the Questions You'll Wish You Asked journals to the American Brain Association, an organization that funds research to end Alzheimer's and cure other brain diseases like MS, ALS, and Parkinson's. As soon as the motherless mother's journals make any profit (they currently aren't) I will be donating a percentage of those profits to an org that supports BIPOC mothers. (Please let me know if you have an org that you trust & suggest.)
I know that lots of religions emphasize tithing a percentage of whatever you make, but as someone who is spiritual and not religious I've never had a dedicated place for this, and instead I've just given where I feel presently moved. I'm going to continue doing that, and there are other causes that mean a great deal to me personally, but it feels really good to take this concrete step in my business and publishing journey.
It also feels good to take this step toward ending a disease (Alzheimer's) that honestly terrifies me and has affected people very close to me, like my grandma DeVera. Seeing someone disappear into this illness (and other brain diseases) is devastating.
I hope that this inspires you to dedicate a percentage of your time or income (however small) to a cause that's meaningful to you. If you already do this, I'd love to hear about it below. And if you feel moved to donate to a charity ending brain disease, here is a good one.
What cause has been calling to you?
Let's be the change exactly where we are.
Love,
Melissa
PS: Consider writing down answers for your kids or asking questions of your family members in the Questions You’ll Wish You Asked journals. Find them here.
Image of each family journal, varying retro colors in vintage font
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Brightly colored rainbow sunburst book journal
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