Compassion and wit and a lady named Cate!

This week's post on gratefulness is an easy one. Firstly you might like to glimpse at this to know why.

This amazing lady Cate Bolt was brought to my attention initially by a witty comment she made on twitter. I like wit. I like Cate. Then as I started stalking was reading more about Cate I came to realise how amazing this woman is. Her bio on twitter reads: Writer, mum of 9, humanitarian & environmental activist, orphanage owner. I am already intrigued at this point. So upon more stalking reading I discover there are no boundaries to this woman’s compassion and regard for others.

Not only did Cate establish an orphanage in Bali, she is committed to the cause of homelessness in Australia among many other causes. She wants to make a difference. She is making a difference. I often think about helping others, but often my thoughts resolve into little or no action. You can read all about her causes on the Project 18 website.

My gratefulness at the onset this week came after reading Cate's story about the number of homeless kids in Indonesia. I have seen this first hand. You only have to get out of your car in Jakarta (to where I have travelled some 20+ times) to see kids as young as 4 and 5 years old approaching you for money. When you stop at the traffic lights kids surround the car in search of spare change. My heart aches every time, especially as a mother.

Last night as I lay in my comfortable and very warm bed I remembered a tweet Cate posted earlier this week stating some of the poorer kids of the village in Bali visit the orphanage to have a meal, and they like to just lay on a mattress for a rest as most of them have never had a bed. I don't know how many times I read that just to accept that truth. There are little kids in the world that have never, ever had a bed. And here I lay snug as a bug with a big fat doona keeping me warm. I thanked my lucky stars. And then I thanked them again.

I also got to thinking how even though my fortunate life has reached the levels it has due to, on a huge part, my hard work, this was only ever possible because of opportunities brought about from circumstance and rights I am entitled to, such as an education. But what about people who do not have the same right or access to basic education?  It is another world and although it is easy for those that are living a 'fortunate' life to feel compassion, is that enough?

My boys and I are big believers of contributing to worthy charities. We share the notion that we MUST do something, not a question. We may only be making a small contribution but we need to know we are doing something. I asked my son to have a look at the website for the orphanage and asked if he would like to contribute to a sponsorship. I know the amount we pledge is small but I would like to know when he enters adulthood that he knows and feels compassion, and has the ability to want to help those less fortunate. Lucky for him he genuinely wants to help, even at 10 years old. For as little as $10USD a month we can all make a difference. If you are interested in helping please visit the Foundation 18 website. 

My gratefulness this week started at the thought that we have a comfortable roof over our heads and a belly full of food. It extended to being grateful for people just like Cate who make a difference in such vast ways. And I am truly grateful my son knows and feels compassion.

So do yourself a favour and jump onto Project 18's website and peruse the amazing work they do. Follow Cate on twitter (I promise you will LOVE her). Say hello, she says hello back. And if Cate tells you she is an ordinary person you will, like me, smile at her humility and humble attitude. And like me you will see her invisible halo and know that the world is a better place for having her in it. We need more like her.

Grateful and inspired beyond belief!

"In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else will solve their problems.  Every individual has a responsibility to help guide our global family in the right direction.  Good wishes are not sufficient; we must become actively engaged.” ~His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Now for some more inspiration pop over to Maxabella loves and check out some other grateful bloggers. Enjoy!

 {image source Pinterest}