Pennies from Heaven

Whether we consider them lucky pennies or pennies from heaven, found pennies should be day brighteners.  They are unexpected tiny bits of good fortune.  I've always relished finding pennies, and never more than since Edgar died.  I'd asked him to send me pennies from heaven and in the months since he died, I've found more pennies than I remember finding in the past several combined years. The beautiful, comforting thing about many of these finds, is that they often appear when I'm having a tough time.  Just yesterday, a confirming penny appeared, providing me reassurance on the day that my beloved uncle died.

When we expect and accept good cheer, regardless of how small the increment, we are often rewarded exponentially.  Small kindnesses, smiles, greetings, praise, thanks and gestures are other tiny treasures that we can as easily overlook generously giving and gratefully receiving, as the penny waiting to be retrieved.

We can all make a big difference when we continually seize small opportunities to be day brighteners.

Now and Next

Regardless of our passions, age or experience -  we owe it to ourselves, families, communities and careers to consciously consider what we are doing now that excites us, or brings us joy, or makes a difference.  (Ideally these things will converge.) And with those answers, we must consider how we will invest our time, talent and treasure to insure that what we do next will continue to make a difference to us, those we love and those we aspire to help.

When a Little Means a Lot

I've previously written about the impact of  $25 Kiva loans to enterprising business women and men.  Today I made my 22nd loan, this one to a group of female business women in the Congo.  It's exciting to perpetually invest a little, with potentially life-changing impacts to the entrepreneurs and their families. As is often the case, with those who attempt to help, my life has been greatly enriched by giving a little and seeing the the bigger difference these little bits have made to so many striving families around the globe. 

A little investment can change lives - of investors and of those in whose enterprises investments are made.  Investment is one of the many ways to help individuals and businesses prosper.

Incredible Fun and Impact for $25

Though we've never met, I've connected with 12 special women across the globe during the last 13 months:

• Ernestina from Nicaragua
• Norma from Mexico
• Maria from Bolivia
• Esther from Ghana
• Janet from Nigeria
• Dolores from Peru
• Elma from Philippines
• Inocensia from Philippines
• Augustina from Ghana
• Faatali from Somoa
• Marina from Philippines
• Valentina from Ukraine

These 12 female entrepreneurs are working to improve their own lives and provide opportunities for their families. Who would ever imagine that 13 lives (theirs and mine) could be touched by investing $100 ($25 per entrepreneur)? 

My precious daughter wisely knew that I'd become intrigued with Kiva, a wonderful micro-lending organization.  Her cherished gift certificate caused me to become an avid Kiva lender and advocate.

The beauty of Kiva is that each loan amount is $25 per lender.  So, my 4 initial loans have now mushroomed to 12 because, though it's not required, I've chosen to re-lend funds each time my hard-working entrepreneurs repay.  And, because I value what this non-profit is doing, I've made small donations to cover their operating expenses.  Donating, though appreciated, is not required.

I've chosen to focus on female entrepreneurs, but want to emphasize that Kiva provides loans to women and men across the globe.

I can't imagine a more interactive, impactful $25 investment opportunity!