Let’s Help Oklahoma
I have been feeling pretty sorry for myself this week. For the first time in about 4 years I caught a really bad cold.
I won’t claim it was the flu like so many people do when they get a heavy cold.
I’ve had the proper flu twice in my life and it’s not the same thing at all.
Nevertheless, I had to cancel a load of client sessions and have had real problems concentrating and even staying awake.
I tend not to watch, listen or read the news because it usually just brings me down, but it has been difficult not to get sucked into the terrible situation in Oklahoma.
Like any tragedy there have been stories of amazing heroism, close escapes, communities pulling together for the common good (or the Dunkirk spirit as it is referred to in the UK) and of course, harrowing loss of life.
Each time I thought about this and then juxtaposed it with me being all whiny about having an achy body, sore throat and a cough, I realized how ridiculous I was being.
Under such circumstances I have a tendency to flip back and forth between whiny and guilty.
Both are shit strategies for dealing with such a situation and as a Life Coach I should know better.
Well actually I do know better, and that’s why I’m writing this post.
I was going to send some money to Oklahoma to help with the recovery process, but then had a better idea.
Why not auction off my Life Coaching Gold Package that usually costs $499 and send that money to help.
Here’s How You Can Help Oklahoma
If you want some Life Coaching from me just add a comment and tell me how much you’re prepared to send as a donation.
I don’t care what you bid because this is one of those occasions where I will simply take the person who offers the most, presuming it’s at least $100 that is!
And yes, I want YOU to send the money on behalf of both of us.
All I’ll require is a receipt.
I am working about 3 weeks out at the moment so I won’t be able to start before then, so please don’t bid if you cannot wait!
This offer is not open to anybody who has already contacted me about coaching.
Closing date for offers is 30th May 2013
OK we have a winner. Chris I am all yours for 4 hours+, shoot me an e-mail through my contact form and we can get up and running.
And a massive thank you, you stopped this being a tad embarrassing for me whilst also helping a lot of people!
Good work fella!
Keep up the great work Tim!! It’s a shame people unsubscribe because of this but that says a lot to me as well. Too bad they will be losing out on your emails.
$400 out of my league right now!!! Good stuff!!
Later,
Mo
Thanks Mo!
I love what you are doing, Tim! Sadly, I can’t outbid Chris at $400! I just want to show my support since I saw that this beautiful and creative gesture of yours took some oddly misplaced criticism. Metta to you!
Support is always good, thanks Kristin!
Tim’s offer has been a bright light for me and likely others, so please – can we not dim that light by diverting this to a political discussion?
Creating controversy here is destructive. I also gave to Haiti, not that this should matter.
Goodwill gestures, no matter how big or small, put a positive energy into the world, that frankly, a lot of people need right now.
I was born and grew up in Oklahoma (Norman, Holdenville, then OKC) and went through many a tornado. Luckily I never experienced the loss and devastation that the people of Moore have – twice!
Let’s get back to acknowledging and celebrating the constructive nature of Tim’s gesture.
Alison
There will always be people who think others are more worthy, their charity more important and the people they know are suffering more. It’s understandable and the way of the world.
The reason I want the person hiring me to send the money themselves and the reason I won’t accept bids by e-mail is because I want it totally above board and transparent.
My newsletter that went out telling people about this had my highest unsubscribe rate ever and I suspected it would have before I sent it for two reasons.
1) Some people will feel uncomfortable they’re not doing anything (and btw, the LAST thing I want to do is guilt anybody).
2) Some will think I’m exploiting the situation to gain readers/ clients whatever. I had this a lot with How To Be Rich and Happy. I got told several times it was a clever marketing ploy.
Yeh, so clever we lost money on it ;-)
Onwards and upwards!
OK, Syria is too far an example. What about Haiti? Much closer, isn’t it. Three and a half years after the earthquake, how should they feel? Here is an extract from Wikipedia:
A January 2012 Oxfam report said that a half a million Haitians remained homeless, still living under tarps and in tents.[252] Watchdog groups have criticized the reconstruction process saying that part of the problem is that charities spent a considerable amount of money on “soaring rents, board members’ needs, overpriced supplies and imported personnel”. The Miami Herald reports. “A lot of good work was done; the money clearly didn’t all get squandered,” but, “A lot just wasn’t responding to needs on the ground. Millions were spent on ad campaigns telling people to wash their hands. Telling them to wash their hands when there’s no water or soap is a slap in the face.”[250]
The Institute Of Justice & Democracy In Haiti, Let Haiti Live, and The Center For Constitutional Rights have recommended immediate changes to recovery efforts to ensure that critical human rights concerns are addressed. A report found that, “The conditions in the displaced persons camps are abysmal, particularly for women and girls who too often are victims of gender‐based violence”. They call for more oversight of accountability of reconstruction plans, asking, “Why have only 94,000 transitional shelters been built to date despite a stated goal of 125,000 in the first year?”.[253]
On 25 August 2012, recovery was hampered due to Tropical Storm Isaac (2012) impacting Haiti’s southern peninsula. There it caused flooding and 29 deaths according to local reporting. As a result of the 2010 earthquake, more than 400,000 Haitians continue to live in tents and experienced the storm without adequate shelter.[254][255] In late October, with over 370,000 still living in tent camps, a second tropical storm, Hurricane Sandy, killed 55 and left large portions of Haiti under water.[256]
I sent money to Haiti and millions of dollars poured in from the US and well as thousands of relief workers. I even have a client who is making regular visits to the country.
I really don’t get your point Louise, there is no worthiness table that I’m aware of.
And how can rich countries help themselves if when I start to do something like that you are protesting that I should be helping overseas countries.
Oklahoma resonated with me because:
a) I had more exposure to it
b) living in Florida means we are always exposed to similar events and it’s like a there but for the grace of God
c) I have had a handful of clients from Oklahoma
Every human being is worthy imho, but unfortunately we cannot help every human being so we do what we can.
Louise you do raise an interesting point about charity money being spent poorly. I watched a TED talk where a simple solution was proposed – talk to the people who are genuinely in need, ask them what they need to improve their lives, then listen! All too often the rich West thinks it know what local need, which is both arrogant and results in wasted effort & money.
However, notwithstanding the above, this point is actually quite irrelevant.
I think it’s great that Tim is doing stuff to help those in need. He’s doing a lot more than most other people. Surely we should applaud Tim for doing good work instead of criticising him.
To take your argument to its logical conclusion, all charity work is unworthy (relatively) unless it’s directed to the absolute most needy in the world. Now that’s just silly. Sorry.
I think it is a great idea, but the US is a rich country. I think these fundraising efforts should be made to help poor countries. The rich countries can help themselves. There are a lot of people who have lost just as much if not more in Syria for example and their country is not going to help them. So we should.
Louise, no matter if the country as a whole is rich, please imagine for a second how you would feel if your home and all your possessions were destroyed, and your family made homeless for several days or weeks. Wouldn’t it help you to know that some people cared and were willing to help, rather than dismissing you just because you happen to be better off than another country?
At the end of the day, we’re all human, no matter which country we live in. And from time to time we all need a helping hand.
Syria (and other countries) are no doubt worthy causes, but remember that Tim lives in the US, so it’s natural that his thoughts are with those closer to home.
Human suffering is human suffering.
I’m sure the parents that lost children and people that lost everything they had are suffering just as much as anybody overseas.
Tim … What a fabulous offer and way to give back!
I would joyfully offer $400 for a great opportunity:
for myself and
to help others who have lost so much!
Chris
That’s awesome Chris thanks!
Tim,
As a native Oklahoman, now in Montreal, I appreciate your contribution. My submission: $200 for a great cause, and a generous offer.
Best,
Alison
Hope all your family was ok if you still have them there Alison and thanks!
Yes, family and friends are all fine and I am *very* grateful. But my heart feels heavy for those affected.
I would pay $150
Thanks Cindy!
hi Tim I think you are doing an amazing thing raising money for oklahoma. I’ll start the bidding at £50 for the four sessions of coaching. sorry its not $100.
Many thanks.
helen.
No worries you got the ball rolling!