Wishing You all a wonderful day. Remembering those that fought for Freedom: THANK YOU.

“The brave die never, though they sleep in dust: Their courage nerves a thousand living men.” – Minot J. Savage

Daisy Says: For all we love and believe in, let us stand united.

I’ve had conversations with people talking about doing ‘daring’ things. I must agree nothing is more apprehensive and paralyzing than the thought of doing something you’ve never done before; yet there is the tinge of excitement and wonder.

Nothing could be more exciting than having others join in on your adventure.

This adventure is one of the chapters from our nonprofit organization The Helpful Hands Foundation. One of the focus of the foundation is helping youths via sports and our young entrepreneur program. A subsidiary of The Helpful Hands Foundation is Community Youth Development Association which is overseen by its Director – a dynamic gentleman, David Shannon.

David came up with the great idea of a Golf Tournament Fundraiser. Of course… neither he nor I have ever initiated a ‘fund-raising’ event. (Now we have something to add to our resume).

We learned a lot, had a lot of fun and are looking forward to doing it again!

Now comes the lesson. The lesson comes in the experience, in the doing and the journey. To embark on a mission for the sake of the mission means nothing. Yet the excitement of the adventure, the possibilities of a positive outcome, the relationships forged, the inner spirit is revealed as the passion behind the mission comes forth. The why.

Why do anything? Why go forth onto untrodden territory? Why step out of the comfort zone?

Embark on the journey beyond your comfort zone and you’ll have the answer to your ‘why’… and with that you’ll discover your passion.

Your ‘why’ and your passion will become one in the journey.

This combination will spawn you onward making the journey alive with purpose. The challenges that present themselves will be but like pieces of a puzzle that with time will find its match.

THHF CYDA Annual 2010 Golf Classic was our first fundraiser of this magnitude… what could we have done better for the next one? More volunteers, more time!!

If you would like to create Golf Tournament Fund Raiser (A great warm-weather fund raising event) here are some tips:

-Promote with quality posters at golf stores, high-traffic, high-visibility locations. Use newsletter and email lists, and online social networks to get the word out.

-Distribute a press release about your golf fundraiser to all your local media outlets.

-Most golf courses will give you a substantial discount for a large group, you can charge the regular price and do quite well.

-Contact local businesses and ask them to sponsor a hole. Show a mock-up of the signs that will be placed for each sponsor and your event program where you’ll list all your sponsors.

-Contact corporations and ask them to sponsor your event.

-Have a sponsorship request on your letterhead and offer: prominent signage at the event, corporate logo golf balls for all golfers, newspaper coverage, etc.

-Player sponsors, ask each player to raise at least $100 in pledges.

-Silent auction: Solicit items from local businesses.

-Hold a raffle: Increase sales, sell tickets to the general public and not just to your group of supporters. You can even set up a sales table at high-traffic locations like shopping centers – this will get your event more recognition.

-Cater lunch: Offer a boxed lunch of sandwich, chips, and a cookie. Depending on what you’re offering, markup your costs by $3 to $5 per person and you’ll do well.

Daisy Says: Step out of comfort and into excitement.

It is amazing what peaks our interest. The picture of a huge red ball wedged between two buildings did that for me. Upon further research I learned its purpose, it was not just art … it was about connection and inspiration.

We all have our moments of inspiration. We see something, and just think “wow”. Something inspires us, makes us think of all the possibilities, something connects us to the magic of creation.

It’s easy to be consumed with the monotony of everyday life, just trying to get through the day and hoping for the best.

What is it that gets you out of bed?

We all need that spark, at different times, at different levels.

Sometimes a spark of inspiration is all we need to sustain a great journey. This inspiration can come from communing with nature or simply another human being.

The most important thing is.. that when inspiration sparks within you … GO FOR IT! Don’t hesitate- GO AFTER IT, CHASE IT!

When you live an inspired life, you live with PASSION!

Give before you get. Go out of your way to provide real value to others. When you find ways to make their life better, they’ll find ways to make your life better.

Daisy Says: Begin the quest for your inspiration.

I find a silent connection with the polar bear, so many qualities that I admire such as their ability to navigate along the earth’s magnetic lines , introspection, ability to find sustenance in barren landscapes, purity of spirit, strength in the face of adversity, solitude, expert swimmer through emotional waters, finding ones way back from the brink.

Many times I have journeyed into life moving in one direction or other yet it was through solitude in introspection that I could find my way back to the source of light and guidance.

Polar bears are intelligent and fearless; native tribes throughout history have held the polar as a desirable ally and spirit helper. The white color of the polar bear represents purity of spirit. As this bear is fearless and the universal energy only flows when fear is absent, the polar serves as a valuable ally in getting past fear, both physically and mentally. When our own courage falters we can connect with our animal nature and overcome obstacles beyond our imagination.

To the Eskimo and Inuit peoples this animal is a source of both physical and spiritual nourishment. On a spiritual level, the polar bear is regarded as the embodiment of the spirit of the North, an animal who possesses ancient wisdom and has shamanic powers.

Of the bear family the polar is the most aggressive and carnivorous, yet they are not territorial. They are exceptional hunters. Polar bears weigh up to 1600 lbs and are able to knock a 500lb seal out of the water with one blow. Polar bear attacks are more likely to be predatory and are almost always fatal. They are stealth hunters, and the victim is often unaware of the bear’s presence until the attack is underway. Incredibly strong, they are adaptable which is an excellent survival skill. (Though they are one of the largest land carnivores, they are still capable of great speed on both ice and earth. They are able to swim 100 miles non-stop.)

There have been many instances in my life where I’ve had to adapt to the circumstances and surroundings in order to continue the growth of my soul. To question the journey was not an option, only to adapt and grow secured my survival.

In general, adult polar bears live solitary lives. Yet, they have often been seen playing together for hours at a time and even sleeping in an embrace, adult males have “well-developed friendships.” Cubs are especially playful as well. Among young males in particular, play-fighting may be a means of practicing for serious competition during mating seasons later in life. Polar bears have a wide range of vocalizations, including bellows, roars, growls, chuffs and purrs.

The Polar Bear is one of my mentors through observation of this majestic creature I have learned many lessons and gained much wisdom.

Prior to acting the polar will observe the situation beforehand. They know how exactly how to preserve their energy and strength and use both at the most appropriate time for the best outcome. The art of energy management is a lesson we can all benefit from.

Within the animal kingdom the polar has no enemies. However, they do have but one enemy – the human hunter.

Daisy Says: Dare to be courageous. Dare to enter the Artic!

In seeking the lighter side of life, I seek the brighter side of me.

Life is so truly amazing, never a dull moment. Just when you think you have it figured out. Right there at the peak of monotony – BAM! Something presents itself to shake the floor underneath you.

Yes, I had one of those moments, getting into the swing of life; I had reached another plateau just getting comfortable. Comfortable in my plateau. When out of the blue, something odd happened, something unexpected and by all external purposes seemed trivial.

Many of us have this very same experience, where life is on a smooth track and for no apparent reason you’re taken off course. This is a great test of character. Moments like these test you at the very core.

Do you give in to the circumstances?

Do you question the circumstances?

Do you welcome and embrace the circumstances?

I did all three. I gave into the moment and swam in the sea of emotions. I than questioned the events and dug deep for answers; and after the swimming and the digging I then embraced the situation and welcomed the change.

Whether the challenges that knock on the door of your life be mental, emotional or physical they present themselves as an opportunity for you to grow. These challenges tend to test your resolve and your capacity. To choose the brighter side of life is one of the greatest challenges we face as humans. It is so much easier to point fingers outside of oneself, unfortunately it doesn’t get you closer to the transformation you seek.

Embracing the brighter side of me, means that I chose to focus on what is working, on what is beautiful, on what is possible. By offering the brighter side of me, others can experience the magic of faith and hope.

Daisy Says: Let the brighter side of you shower others with the rays of your love.