Giving Up My Birthday

Water changes everything - from charitywater.org

A few weeks ago, I attended the World Domination Summit, where speakers sought to answer the question, “How do you live a remarkable life in a conventional world.”

I was intrigued by the question and enjoyed each speaker’s message. There was one in particular, though, that captivated me. His name was Scott Harrison and his solution was simple: give everyone clean water.

Water.

It’s so easily taken for granted. Get up, fill the tea kettle. Go to the bathroom, flush the toilet, wash your hands. Take a shower. Have a drink. Have another drink. And another. Do you ever have to decide between a drink of water or a shower? Between washing your clothes or watering your garden?

Probably not. I know I don’t. But a billion people around the world do. Because they don’t have enough.

During his time on stage, Scott shared with us stories of women traveling hours in each direction to fill a gas can with dirty water. Water filled with harmful bacteria and parasites. He showed us pictures of children who spend almost all of their time gathering water from dirty sources.

It was heartbreaking. But at the same time, it was hopeful. Because there is a solution.

This is a problem that can be solved – with less money than is spent on pets each year. Communities can get access to fresh water with wells, filters and other old and new methods.

Scott started Charity: Water to solve this problem. And, to date, they’ve already made a huge impact. I was excited as he shared the ways they help people and how they’re different: whenever you give, you get pictures of the project you helped fund and GPS coordinates.

Oh and 100% of what you give goes to where it’s needed the most.

Then, Scott shared about giving up his birthday and giving away what he would have gotten. He shared more stories of people giving up their birthdays: celebrities, 90-year-olds and children. And that’s when my tears started flowing.

I knew what was coming next and I pledged yes before he even asked the question. When he did, I stood up with a thousand other people and pledged to give away my next birthday.

And so, I am. My birthday in on July 29th. To celebrate, we’re throwing a potluck party and inviting everyone, asking for all gifts to go to Charity: Water. I’m not telling you to brag about my doing something good. I want you to share in celebrating.

This year, I’m celebrating all of the goodness in my life. Friends, family,a transformed husband, a redeemed marriage, beautiful children, clean water. I don’t have to choose between hydrating my children and cooking them dinner. This is a choice nobody should have to make.

I can help in such a simple way. It doesn’t take much for us all to make a difference.

Will you help me?

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