Editor’s Note: Thinking about a song to begin 2015 with and my renewed commitment to my home town came to mind. So here it is, from Canadian Singer/Songwriter David Francey. Note: It’s especially nice to consider my favorite verse during today’s blizzard.  

Editor’s note: The target of this book is international donors. Our foundation is very limited in that area and so I must warn that few of us reading this blog are the target. And yet Balfour’s book is so filled with common sense that I believe his eight pillars apply to just about any work we do. Even working on our own lives. As a matter of full disclosure, I was proud to be asked to do a testimonial for the book but I would not make it my “book of the month” selection if I did not enjoy it as much as I did.

This blog title is borrowed from an Avett Brothers song, which is also featured as the song of the month on our foundation website. Over time, I’ve been training myself to say “I love you” right out loud to people who are not always expecting – and occasionally not accepting – such a sentiment from me.

Editor’s Note: Thanks to my friend, Ron DiMattia for passing this on to me. It’s a little strident for my taste but the theme is so true. If we are to continue to gain on solving the world’s problems, non-profits must continue to learn to operate more like businesses. Spare me the extremes: I favor neither the current traditional model nor Gordon Gecko model…just a healthy recognition that business disciplines can help build mission sustainability.

Editor’s note: Yes, I know I overdo the Avetts but their words mean so much to me. This one, at least to me seems to be about growing up, breaking away then recognizing where you came from. It was the feature song to their first major label album in 2009 and is probably their most popular song. The words connect to today’s blog so it just seems the right time to share it.

Editor's Note: The organizations who recognize that doing good is good business are becoming the ultimate value creators. They’re changing their culture and generating every form of value that matters: emotional, experiential, social, and financial. And they’re doing it for all their stakeholders. Not because it’s simply politically correct, because it’s the only path to long-term competitive advantage.

Editor’s note: I hope you enjoy this holiday thought provoking article from Arthur Brooks in the New York Times Sunday Review. I smile every time I read, “there is nothing wrong with money, dude. The problem in life is attachment to money.” I think I’ve got that one down but now I have to work on his second big thought: “excessive usefulness.”  

Thanks to those who’ve read and commented on Empty Abundance, and here’s a link to a sample chapter to entice those who have not.

Editor’s Note: I’ll add this month another ‘70s song, this one in light of the holiday with a little of Browne’s deep reflection and attitude thrown in.

Editor’s comment: I don’t usually feature a children’s book but this one is a good reminder to those of us reading to our children/grandchildren. The parable is a star (of truth) breaks up and one piece is found on earth and carried into the culture. Its truth? “You are loved” As their peaceful world fell into violence, greed and destruction a little girl goes looking for the other piece. She finds it with the Old Turtle and returns home to share the other half of the broken truth, which is the whole truth: “You are loved/and so are they.” Wonderful stuff, can’t wait to read to my grandchildren while contemplating my own relationship to that lesson.”