I had promised you this video too and I completely forgot to upload it. This is one of the videos from my recent trip to Mumbai where I spent some time with the Aseema kids.

I’ve told you in the past that they are FULL of energy and it amazes me. Well, here’s proof…

Just some back-story on this: I was walking through and they caught me with a camera and immediately wanted to perform so I could record them.

One of the kids comes to me and says: “I can do a cartwl;kjalksjdf” I asked him 10 times to clarify and I just could not understand what he was saying.

So…he decides that rather than deal with trying to make me understand, he’d just SHOW me…

The following is what ensued…

Popularity: 8% [?]

I was in Mumbai last week. As always I came back refreshed and once again reminded that there IS more to life than “earning a buck.” Or at least there is more you can do with that buck than just buy the latest Mercedes

Through a generous gift by my dear friend Helen, I am now sponsoring the education of an 11 year old girl at the Aseema school - her name is Bussra.

Myself and a few friends spent half the day at Aseema again and I had a chance to meet her! However, the meeting was very informal - she is not allowed to “know” that I am sponsoring her (Aseema does not want some kids to feel special, etc…).

So, my meeting with her was in context with my meeting with the entire class.

Go Figure…Born Leader!

As if they could not have found a BETTER fit for me, Bussra is a born leader! Her class self-elected her to be the class captain (aka class president).

In the video below, she’s the one wearing the red stash…

Tomorrow, I’m going to post a video that shows you how “crazy” (in a good way) these kids are. I don’t know WHAT Aseema feeds them in the morning, but their amazing energy is infectious. If only all of us could be this happy with life.

I ENVY them for that…

More on my visit tomorrow

Popularity: 7% [?]

I literally just got an email and had to let out my excitement SOMEWHERE. This is the first time I have ever received a gift of this kind and I never would have thought it would make me this happy.

Some Background

As many of you who read this blog regularly know, a year ago I had a chance to visit an organization in Mumbai, India called Aseema and fell in love with it. If you want to learn more about Aseema, click here to read about my experience…

In short, Aseema is an organization dedicated to building schools for very underprivileged children, many of whom live in VERY poor conditions, even homeless.

The children, the organization, the founder, the mission, all of it spoke wonders to me. Unfortunately I have not had a chance to get as involved as I want to get because of other prior responsibilities, but I know the time is coming soon and I know I can make a very positive impact on the organization…

So What Was The Gift?

One of my closest friends and co-workers sponsored a child’s education for a year at Aseema in MY name!

I got a notice from a staff member at Aseema that this donation had been made and I was absolutely smiles and could have done a BACK FLIP (instead I sent her a thank you email and came here to blog

I Never Thought “These KINDS” of Gifts Were Appreciated…

You know you always hear about these kinds of gifts and for the longest time I always wondered if people really like them. I never had the “kahoonas” to gift someone with a non-profit gift to use them as an experiment.

But today, seeing my reaction, I’m confident that it does - this can be one of the BEST gifts you can give anyone.

Here is what I recommend, look at what “cause” is close to one’s heart and find a non-profit organization in that area and donate to it in their name. I have a good feeling they’ll love it!

Popularity: 7% [?]

You can’t even imagine how shocked/excited/happy I was to hear that my good friend, Amit Mehta from SuperAffiliateMindset.com (an incredibly successful internet entrepreneur), donated $520 today (enough to sponsor the education of 4 kids for a year) after reading my post about my trip to Aseema.

Amit and I have talked about this trip before many times, but this goes to show you the power of blogging. It was not until he got a chance to see the pictures and read my experience and really “think about it” did he immediately take action.

This is the true mark of a fighter - Amit has taken his success and given back to allow 4 kids the same opportunity this year.

Thank you Amit - thank you very much.

======

Remember, you don’t have to get involved with something non-profit through “money.” Lending a hand, volunteering - they’re all just as beneficial - just get involved.

Popularity: 6% [?]

What you learn today: If you want to improve your life, you have to first learn to accept, enjoy and appreciate your current life…

====================================

Within the last few months I’ve had a chance to visit an organization called “Aseema” twice and I have to say that in many ways, it has truly changed my life.

Aseema is a non-profit that builds schools for underprivileged street children - these kids literally live in the slums in India, Aseema pulls them away from their abusing jobs and horrible situations and gives them a class A education.

My Biggest Take-Away - The Smiles On These Kid’s Faces

Let me ask you something? So what if your burger is done medium-rare and not medium? Who cares if “she” talked about you behind your back?

These are the questions you start to ask when you get a chance to visit these children and see the HUGE smiles on their faces. These kids are the greatest fighters I have ever seen.

> They live in the slums
> They can barely afford to eat
> Many of them are abused
> The list goes on and I don’t have the strength to get into it.

Yet, some how, these kids are running around, playing, smiling, laughing, cheering - just being kids with big dreams and hopes.

“Hey Kids, What Do You Want To Be In The Future?”

When we asked this question, their enthusiastic, optimistic, fighter filled hands shot straight to the sky…

- A doctor!
- A cricketer!
- An architect…
- Musician
- Artist…

We heard it all and they weren’t just saying it - they had a plan. Mind you, these kids ranged from 2 years old to 10 years old and many of them already knew what cricket team they would play for in 10 years - talk about self-manifesting!

“We Can All Learn A Thing or Two From These Kids…”

Every time I start to get down on myself about the fact that “I’m not making enough money” or some other stupid thing that really just doesn’t matter in the end - I look at these pictures (I have over 100 of them).

These kids have taught me that we should all make the best of life. If you want to fight for a better life, you ironically need to accept the one you have and enjoy the moment.

Enjoy your current life, smile, laugh and continue to fight for a better life - but you can’t do one without the other.

====================================

Side Tip: I really advise that you get involved with a non-profit that holds dear to your heart - your life takes a different meaning the minute you do. For me, it’s “underpriviledged education” - I really believe that every child should be given a great education and a chance to pave his/her own way.

Popularity: 5% [?]