Today, I met up with Jon Rose from Waves for Water about a project to bring clean water to the Sidama region of Ethiopia.
Instead of starting out on the topic of wells in Ethiopia, we began by talking about the devastation on the East Coast.
Jon and his team primarily deal with water projects, but since Sandy hit, everyone is realizing that as human beings living in the United States (most with personal connections to the areas affected) we have a responsibility to help. So rather than just meet the need of water alone, they are going on a full-fledged relief mission to coastal cities struck the hardest.
It made me think about a quote by Oscar Wilde:
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
-Oscar Wilde
What is the difference between existing and living? To exist, we are meeting our basic needs to sustain life. To live, we are making the life we have worthwhile.
When we find a purpose, when we see a cause greater than ourselves, there is no moment more true to living as when we take action.
People are fighting to exist right now, and it is our time to truly experience what living is all about.
13-year-old Mattie Stepanek whispered these last words to his mother as he was dying in her arms,
“Don’t breathe simply to exist.”
– Mattie Stepanek
I am suggesting to everyone in the community of this blog to find a relief mission close to your heart and let’s start helping our friends and family on the eastern coast of the US get back on their feet so they can continue living- and not just worry about existing.
I’m supporting and linking Jon’s mission at Waves for Water because I know what he is about. I trust and take comfort in knowing this mission is altruistic.
Do your research, know where you money is going, or volunteer on-site or in other ways – just help.
Donate to Waves for Water: http://www.wavesforwater.org/hurricane-sandy-relief-initiative/
For Sandy Relief Volunteer Opportunities:http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2012/oct/30/how-help-hurricane-sandy/
List of Organizations Taking Donations for Sandy Relief: http://abcnews.go.com/US/hurricane-sandy-victims/story?id=17598687#.UJLzBrQTvw4
