Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Quote

“Life’s most persistent

and urgent question is,

What are you doing for others?”

~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ~

The Spirit of Giving

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

~ Winston Churchill



This Christmas season will be the ONE we'll always remember.

In years past, we've turned our home office into Gift Wrapping Central, are stressed over finding that "perfect" gift on Christmas Eve and our Christmas tree is overflowing with so many gifts that it takes up a quarter of the living room!

This year, the Christmas tree WASN'T overflowing with gifts galore. In fact, there wasn't a single gift under it. Yet, it looked more beautiful than we've ever remembered. This year, we truly enjoyed the holiday season and spent it the way it should be: with Love, Family, Friends, Faith, Joy, Hope, Gratitude and the Spirit of Giving.

Our families began a wonderful tradition which we hope will be passed on for many generations to come. Instead of exchanging gifts to one another on Christmas, we combined the money which would have been used for gift shopping and used it to reach out to those in need in our community. The total was Astounding! With the hustle and bustle of Christmas and many trips to the Mall with a list, we don't quite realize how much we spend during this season.

Our family goal was to reach out to struggling farm workers. The winter seasons are the toughest months for them. With lack of work, providing for their families becomes harder than the work they do during the harvest months. Our collective efforts stocked a rural food pantry bringing Christmas dinners and groceries to 12 families! Two of the families we met personally. One was a young couple making a new start in the U.S. The other was a family of 10 who lived in a trailer in very modest conditions.

We hope to be able to do more next Christmas as well as throughout the year. This year, we've discovered the true meaning and Spirit of Giving. It's not about how glitzy, nor shining or of value a gift can be. A true gift comes from the heart and it's with love that gives it it's highest value.

The families weren't the only ones who received true gifts this year. We, too, receive them. This Christmas brought more of life's many gifts and blessings. It strengthened the Gift of Family, the Gift of Love, Hope, Faith, Gratitude, New Friendships and most importantly, the Gift of Giving. This is the start of something truly wonderful. We hope you'll join us throughout the year and into the next holiday season in celebration for the True Spirit of Giving.

Wishing you all a most memorable 2010 filled with more Love than you can imagine!

Many Blessings from our Family to Yours,

Roxanne and Hugo
Believe Achieve

Positive News Thursday - Using Music To Enrich Lives

BELIEVE YOU CAN
MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Ron Pace grew up in two-room log cabin on the outskirts of Waverly, Tennessee. His family's home had no electricity, nor indoor plumbing. His family grew everything they ate and were self-sufficient. Yet, Ron would tell you..."It was a really happy childhood living here, we had no conception that we were poor, underprivileged..."

Now, at 68 years old, Ron is a successful Financier who enjoys a relaxing semi-retirement with wife, Sandy. Today, he's using his success to enrich his hometown that had fallen on hard times.

It started out as an idea nine years ago to give back to the community he grew up in. He began a summer concert series called Music On The Square using music to enhance the lives of the folks back home.

"It's a good place to meet and renew friendships and just enjoy the whole community." Says Ron.

Ron not only pays for the event but he also books the bands performing.

He says, "I think everybody has a need to touch other peoples' lives, and this is just a small way of doing it..."

Ron is one single person making a profound difference in the lives of so many. It's possible to make a difference. Believe YOU can make a difference, too.

Many Blessings....

Hugo and Roxanne
Believe Achieve


More on Ron's Inspirational Story: Must Watch Video Below

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Click Here to View Video!



Further Reading:

Believe YOU Can Make A Difference Series

Positive News Thursdays

If you could do something to get rid of unwanted negativity, would you do it?

Of course, you would! It's simpler that you think. Just turn off the News!

One thing that can dampen a wonderfully Positive day is by ending it watching the dreadful News. Starting the day with it is worse. Although, it's important to stay tuned to a few current events, unfortunately, there's a whole lot more negative News in between the good stuff to fill our heads with worry and even fear.

We want to do something different here! We want to share News filled with Positivity! The News of someone Making a Difference, Achieving great Success, about instilling Hope and sharing Love. Who couldn't use more Positivity in their lives? Stay tuned!


Boy With Giving Heart Helps His Family

In Toledo, Ohio, there lives an 11 year old boy with a tremendous heart. Unlike others his age, who find their toys their most prized possessions, Zach McGuire is selling his to ease his family's financial burdens.

He came up with the idea on his own during a conversation he had with his father.

"You can't live in toys, or eat toys," Zach told CNN television affiliate WNWO. "Even though they are fun, you don't need them."

Zach plans to use the proceeds of his toy sales to help his father, an out-of-work Contractor. Although, the family is not relying on Zach's toy sales, they do greatly appreciate and are so grateful for his efforts.

Please watch video below to learn more about Zach and his family. Courtesy of CNN

To view video, Click Here.

Have a Positive Day!


Many Blessings....

Hugo and Roxanne
Believe Achieve



Further Reading:
11 Guaranteed Tips to Keep You Smiling and Staying Positive

BELIEVE YOU Can Make A Difference - Giving Back This Holiday Season and Into 2009

The Holidays are a special time of the year. It's a time of endless festivities: family gatherings to share love and laughter and enjoy generous meals, corporate parties and events, attending unforgettable holiday productions performed by our children, and for more many of us, it also includes exchanging special gifts with our friends and loved ones. But for some, the holidays can be a challenging time. In our communities and around the world, there are children and families who could use a little holiday cheer. This holiday season, make it unforgettable, by giving a needy family and child the priceless gift of hope, love, warmth and a smile. Make a difference this holiday season. Here are a few great ways to start.

Make A Child Smile Organization

For the price of a stamp, YOU can make a child smile. The Make A Child Smile Organization (MACS) founded in 1998 by Alexandra Bakker has brought hope, smiles and words of encouragement to a number of children with life threatening illnesses all across the United States. You can bring a smile to a child's face by sending a card or a small gift to the Featured Kids of the Month on their website. The MACS website includes their courageous stories and pictures, along with an address to send your card. Each child's courageous story will touch your heart and speak to your soul. You'll want to reach out and hug each and every one of them. You're surely going to fall in love with their smiles. And it's their wonderful smiles we want to keep up and going.

We just received the most precious gift ever! We heard the news that our post on this organization has INSPIRED an entire school in China to make and send cards to the children featured on the MACS website. This is a prime inspirational example of how No One is too small to make a difference! Children helping children is a beautiful thing.

Volunteer at your Local Church or Community Center

Because "it takes a village to raise a child" (African proverb), you can make a profound difference in your own community by volunteering at a local church, club or center. Most places have an after school or weekly event just for kids. Events like these keep our children in a healthy environment while their parents are still at work and keep them out of trouble.

We recently had the pleasure of spending an evening with people with hearts of gold. A local church holds a weekly Friday Night Kid's Club event. And Every Friday night, the kids in the community are invited to have dinner and dessert, provided by volunteers, and participate in arts and crafts projects. Along with our cousins, we made enchilada casseroles, rice and 5 dozen frosted cupcakes. We had a wonderful time and dinner was delicious! Then again, anything made with LOVE is always good. It filled our hearts to see the children enjoy dinner and devour the cupcakes.

We can donate our time, our talents and hobbies by teaching the children something new, maybe even do story time or play a game. We can also donate to such events by providing materials for art projects, DVDs for movie nights or fresh baked cookies for dessert. Whatever we do will surely bring a smile to a child's face.

Kidz Quiltz

This wonderful organization has pledged to provide quilts for children all over the world who are in need due to poverty and natural disasters. Each quilt is made with love and provides warmth to thousands of children world wide. There goal is to help children stay warm and to show we care by wrapping them in quilts. Since July of 2008, Kidz Quiltz, has provided over 2,000 warm quilts for children to wrap themselves in. We can help by providing batting fabric-cotton or cotton blends, flannel, thread, yarn and donations. If you're in Colorado (United States), you can also volunteer your quilt-making expertise at there center or send a special quilt you have made to the address provided on their website. Give a gift of warmth this holiday season and embrace a child with a beautiful quilt.

Children International

Since 1936, Children International has helped over a million children and families all around the world who are struggling in terrible poverty. We can partake in an incredible movement to end child poverty. Through their sponsorship program, which is currently serving over 300,000 children in 11 countries, for less than most of us spend on our magazine subscriptions and gym memberships, we can help children receive life-changing assistance. For as little as $22/month, your sponsorship will provide clothing, medical care, educational support, youth program, dental care, nutritional aid and family assistance. Thousands of very poor children are waiting for someone to give them a sign of hope. We can accomplish this one child at a time.

Great American Bake Sale

It's time to roll up our sleeves and put an end to childhood hunger Today! We can make a difference in a child's life right from our own kitchens. As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, there is no reason for any child to grow up hungry. Yet, there is 1 in 6 children who are at risk of hunger. That's 12 million children in America. We can do our part in reducing and eliminating this number by coordinating bake sales throughout our communities. Get local restaurants, your place of worship, schools, clubs and groups involved for a fun filled day of sweets and generosity. Proceeds from the sale of our goodies will help open more meal sites for low-income children across the nation, provide equipment and utensils to serve their food, and pay for outreach to inform parents about the availability of free meals.

Many of these wonderfully generous activities can involve our children. We'll not only be teaching them an incredible life-lesson, but also inspiring gratitude. They'll learn the true meaning and joys of giving back and how No One is too small to make a difference. Whether you'll be sending a card with a smile, sharing story time with the kids in your neighborhood, putting love into making a quilt, sponsoring a child in a poverty stricken country or baking sweets and sensations for your bake sale, every bit of your time and generosity will positively affect a life of a child. You'll be bringing them hope, love, warmth, care and a smile. Such priceless gifts which will be cherished forever.

Let's do our part together in making a difference this holiday season and into 2009. Doing so will surely bring more into our lives, too. Cheers to a brighter future.

Many Blessings....
Hugo and Roxanne
~ Believe Achieve ~

BELIEVE YOU Can Make A Difference --------------- The Dedication of Teachers Part Three

Victoria's class is currently working on an incredible project focusing on humanity, love, giving and gratitude. She's having her students write letters and make cards for a wonderful organization called Make A Child Smile. Victoria says, "I will be asking them to take time out and think of someone other than themselves this year. This is an important lesson for all of them."

The Make A Child Smile Organization provides names and courageous stories of children battling and overcoming chronic illnesses. Victoria's class project will not only touch the lives of the children on the site, but also the lives of her students. The many lessons learned from this project include how giving is the ultimate gift, the importance of gratitude for everything we have, to have faith in humanity and most importantly, that love is always the answer. Her classroom now knows the power within a smile and how bringing a little more sunshine to someone elses day, will surely bring more to theirs. Such a priceless lesson!

During another lesson where Victoria was nourishing the minds of her students, one of the shyest boys in the class taught her a positive affirmation about life. This is indeed the greatest of all rewards for a teacher. To know that their dedicated work is never without fruit. During a lesson on advertisement, she showed her students a picture of a poverty stricken child, which stunned them. "They all now know how very lucky they are indeed. I'm not just here to be their English teacher; I have to show them things they know nothing about. Mankind." says Victoria.

She asked her class to come up with ideas for a slogan and advertisement that would encourage her to help a poor child in another country. She had many ideas herself, but it was from one of her students who gave the best slogan-

"No help, No Humans, No world".

This was a moment she will never forget. She knew she'd never forget this child who showed her how much compassion was flowing through her students. "How wonderful for me to know he will help and possibly never forget my class. I'm so grateful to have made a difference here....(he) gave me the greatest motto to live by."

This day, Victoria's students, taught her a very special lesson. She says, "The greatest lesson I have learned from these children is to be a sponge. Because what I learn in life is very important to pass to them."

To hear more about Victoria's dedication as a teacher, please continue on to Part Four.

Many Blessings....
Hugo and Roxanne
~ Believe Achieve ~


Further Readings:

The Dedication of Teachers Part Two
The Dedication of Teachers Part Four
The Dedication of Teachers Part Five

Saying Thank You

Saying "Thank You" and Giving Thanks are both powerful forms of expressing Gratitude. Never underestimate the Power of such simple words. Think of the last time someone thanked you. Do you remember how you felt? Didn't it feel wonderful? Just hearing the mere words can bring upon a sense of self worth. These small, little words create such an amazing impact. Now, remembering how incredible it felt to be thanked, when was the last time YOU said the words, "Thank You?" Who were you thanking? What were you giving thanks for? Whatever triggered your "Gratitude Attitude", it certainly brighten the days of all involved. Leaving all of you smiling the rest of the day.

The world needs more smiling faces, don't you agree? Here are some ways you can help create more smiles.

Nothing beats a personal handwritten note expressing gratitude. Especially when it's sent "snail" mail. We live in such a "get it done fast" age, this thoughtful act is nearly non-existent. Although, it's much easier to send a card or an email, the recipient will be overjoyed to know you took the time to hand write such a thoughtful note.

Passing along compliments is another method of giving thanks. Compliment someone for a job well done. You're not only recognizing the hard work they put in, you're also thanking them for doing an incredible job.

Simply saying "Thank You" is all that is needed sometimes. The best Thank YOU's are the ones that are for the simplest acts. The next time your spouse comes home from doing the grocery shopping, say Thank You. The next time you find more clean socks in you drawer or see the garbage has been taken out, say Thank You. And the next time you see your children's happy faces, say Thank You.

Starting today, let's brighten many more days by simply saying "Thank You" and Giving Thanks. We Thank You for stopping by today and sharing our passion with us. We're ever so grateful.

Many Blessings....

Hugo and Roxanne
~ Believe Achieve ~

How do you give thanks?? We'd love to hear from you!!

The Gift of Giving

Giving is the Ultimate Gift.

The unselfish act of Giving Oneself makes this world a Beautiful place to live. A world filled with Happiness, Gratitude and Laughter. And guess what, Friends? YOU can single-handedly make a better world by simply Giving. Let us explain....Giving makes you feel good. Giving makes the receiver feel good. The "feeling good" makes others around you feel good. And that same "feel good" feeling, influences us to create more ways to feel good about, by Giving more. Isn't it wonderful to know, the moment you gave something of yourself caused an amazing chain reaction that is impacting the rest of the world?

There are so many ways to Give. One misconception is that Giving has to be of monetary value or a charitable donation. Giving doesn't have to cost a thing, yet it has the highest value. So, what do you Give when you think you have nothing?

YOU!!

You Give your smile, your embrace, your enthusiasm, your love, your shoulder to lean on, your compassion, your kiss, your kind words, your time, your ear to listen, your helping hand or your energy. You have many Wonderful Gifts to Give. And each of these, at one time or another, have made an impact on your life or the life of other's.

Think about a time when someone's kind words were exactly what you needed to hear, a time when your smile brighten someone else's day, or when someone's enthusiasm for life was infecting and contagious. Those were all precious and invaluable world-changing moments. Together, let's devote our energies toward a brighter, happier world. Give of yourself today, and make a worldy difference.

Many Blessings....

Hugo and Roxanne
~ Believe Achieve ~