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Vail Daily column: A really good cause

We have all had those conversations, haven’t we? You know, that kind of conversation where we are encouraged or asked to step up and make a donation to or to support “a really good cause.”

And there are a lot of “really good causes” out there, aren’t there? I mean everything from Breast Cancer Awareness, PanCan.org that supports pancreatic cancer research, The American Heart Association, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Make-A-Wish, Denver Rescue Mission, Children’s Hospital, American Diabetes Foundation, National Jewish Research Hospital, St. Jude’s, Girl Scouts of America, Boy Scouts of America, your local elementary school wrapping paper drive, Wounded Warrior Project, AMVETS, human trafficking, domestic violence, the Salvation Army, Red Cross, your church’s mission trips and other church programs, and millions of other “really good causes” that we can get behind in some way.

Some are global, some are national and others are very local and hit very close to home. That “really good cause” that gets me fired up is going to be very different than the “really good cause” that gets you fired up. And that’s OK, because it’s when we feel that passion that inspires us to make a financial contribution or give our time and talents to help out is when we have the greatest opportunity to make a difference and that will always be very personal.



Now there are many times we feel a tug on our heart and we compassionately and impulsively make a decision to give a small donation or give our time or resources to help out a little if we can. And again, large or small, anything we do will have some impact for those individuals who will receive some level of benefit now or in the future. But what I am talking about here is that true passion that compels us to give more than just a little of our time and money, it drives us to support our “really good cause” to the very best of our ability.

And when we have that level of passion, and we can give at any level, large or small, the passion comes through as we do so with a giving and cheerful heart.

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If you find yourself unsettled about supporting “a really good cause” for whatever reasons you may have, then I would encourage you to consider the people in your own family or within your own circle of friends who may have been adversely impacted by a tragic situation or who could have really used some form of help when they were facing their battle. And as you do, I would further encourage you to consider that charity and support are not just for others to do something about, we are all called to do what we can, when we can, and however we can for “a really good cause.”

How about you? I would love to hear all about the “really good cause” that you are so passionate about and support financially or with your time and talents at gotonorton@gmail.com. And when we take the time to be a difference maker in this world, it really will be a better than good week for others who need it most.

Michael Norton is a strategic consultant, business and personal coach and motivational speaker. He writes a weekly motivational column for the Vail Daily.


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