We are placed in each other's lives for a reason

I always knew that but today, once again, the point was driven home! Yesterday, I posted about fear and love. I spoke about my own failings as a human being and that I strive daily to be all about love. I am human and so it is a work in progress. I spoke of my love and admiration for my friend Shelby, who runs the Elison Project, which is a foundation that benefits special needs adoptions, the families that adopt them and the surgeries that will change their lives.

When I spoke of Elision, I knew that they, like so many other foundations and non-profits were suffering in this economy. What I did not know when I wrote the blog post, is that Shelby was in a great deal of anguish about all that she was not able to do because of the financial state of her charitable entity.

What I found out this morning was that my post was the impetus for her to reconsider her thought patterns, especially after she discussed it with one of her dear friends who pointed out that it is more about what you HAVE done to make a difference in a life and not to get bogged down in what you have not been able to do.

Saving one life makes a difference. Shelby has already made much more of a difference than most of us could ever dream of doing and she could most certainly rest on her laurels but no way, not Shelby!!

The end of her blog post will give you a glimpse into this amazing woman's soul.

"I can not tell you what will happen with The Elison Project. I can not tell you if we will be around a year from now (we are out of money), but I can tell you that starting today and for the rest of my life, I will never again let what I am NOT doing get in the way of what I am doing or let what I can't do, stop me from what needs to be done.

I will never again let my own self doubt get in the way of working my fingers to the bone doing all I can, until my very last breath, for all those waiting and hoping and praying."

I know as I never knew before that we walk paths towards each other and we just need to search to know why we have come upon this person in our life. It is obvious in my opinion as to why Shelby and I are walking this path together at this point in our lives. On my end, I am at a crossroads as well and am truly inspired by her faith and courage. I needed to read her words today. They give me the strength to continue to follow my heart as it leads me to new and exciting chapters yet to be written.

P.S. There is something every single one of us can do right now to help Elison. Shelby is putting together a cookbook for a fundraiser. Click on this button and find out where you can send a recipe to be included in this worthwhile fundraiser. I am going to send mine in today. I will have to wrack my brain to come up with a good one because as all of you know me know very well, I am no domestic goddess. I will do it though...to make a small difference in the life of a child. If I can do it, you can too! :)

I am leaving the fear behind so I leave you for today with love,