Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting an incredible woman. I was invited to attend a conference of amazing business women who, in addition to their commitment to serving others in their business are committed to philanthropy.
The energy in the room was something I have truly never experience before. Business women who are focused on the greater good—and supporting that passion through the success of their businesses. The causes represented in the room ranged from world hunger, the global environment and resources, children with Aids in Africa, domestic violence, orphanages, the arts and animals (my philanthropic passion).
How often do you think about the people or issues beyond your day-to-day life that would benefit from your support? I’m talking more than just to ease your tax burden!
From this select group, the one woman who really touched me with her journey and her commitment, was Lynne Twist. Lynne worked on The Hunger Project for over twenty years and has spent the last twenty as co-founder of the Pachamama Alliance.
When she takes the stage, a wave of energy you’ve never experienced before sweeps over you. An incredible story teller, she shared her experience of meeting Mother Theresa, and how she was called to work with a special group of indigenous people in the Amazon.
This past Sunday she was Oprah’s guest on Super Soul Sunday. And afterwards, Oprah asked her to stay for dinner and talk with some of her “daughters” that were there from her school in Africa. She’s friends with Jane Goodall, and has met the Dalai Lama. Not your ordinary next door neighbor.
Through her philanthropic efforts working with and guiding wealthy families, and her commitment as a world visionary she also wrote a book, The Soul of Money. Her book explores the culture of money, the addiction of money, and the power we all give to money without ever questioning it—while we question everything else. Hmm…
Lynne talks about how people live in the scarcity of money—vs. living in a mindset of sufficiency. And how this bleeds into a life of lack or scarcity. Not enough sleep, not enough money, not enough time, not enough vacations, not enough sex… How often do you contemplate what you don’t have enough of? I suspect daily, whether it’s conscious or unconscious.
It’s not often I meet someone who totally blows me away. Lynne’s spirit, her energy, her commitment to serving and enlightening others is amazing. I cannot begin to fathom how she moves back and forth between her trips to the indigenous jungles of the Amazon and back to the states; a world full of technology, stress and people who are far from fully present. She inspired me, and I must share the inspiration of this incredible human being with you. May she touch your heart as she did mine.
PS – At my August women’s workshop, we’ll be supporting Lynne and the Pachamama Alliance. Keep reading for details.
