Story: Reincarnation
Destiny is already set up when our lives were given. This is eternal truth and many religions mention it. There are many books about it. A quotes mention about it whole over the world.
However, it is also true that we can change our destiny by thinking good and doing good. I may not receive anything in my life, but my children or future generation who receive my soul will receive some luck.
In December 2021, I heard the day of the name, GivingTuesday. It comes after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Easy to remember, but what is GivingTuesday?
GivingTuesday, often stylized as #GivingTuesday for the purposes of hashtag activism, is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is touted as a “global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world”. – Wikipedia
I am thinking about how I donate money in Canada. You may say that giving money is not a solution. Elon Musk tweet, “If WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6B will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it.” WFP could not respond clearly to it.
I don’t know the answer, but I would like to show appreciation to Canada which allows me to live.
BC flood gave me think about where we live. BC struggles to wildfire every summer. I thought Greater Vancouver is safer. Then, I saw a flood. A few weeks ago, a tornado hits the Inland of the United States. I have experienced 2 huge earthquakes, 1994 and 2011, in Japan. Vancouver is peaceful whatever we face issues.
The majority of people are healthy. It is not earned ourselves. Luckily just given from parents. It is no difference between these kids and us. Medical tech is improving. I hope Crispr and related tech help these kids in the future.
This is exactly the frontline, but the website has no SSL. Therefore, I donated to Vancouver Coastal Health through Charitable Impact below.
*The donation page installs SSL.
In 2020, an estimated 1,806,590 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 606,520 people will die from the disease. – National Cancer Institute
My father passed away from cancer in December 2019. Cancer is a quite common cause of death, top 3 in Japan. I don’t ready for it, but I won’t be surprised if I am diagnosed. I just don’t want to suffer when I end my life. I hope scientist finds a solution near future.
I visited gofundme website, but it’s hard to donate to one specific fundraiser. I don’t know how people pick one.
I consider donating for frontline workers, but Google review of THE GORE MUTUAL FOUNDATION is so bad. What’s going on here? It makes me hesitate.
I prefer to donate locally, but I am not sure how an organization uses it. I think this is also a common issue for donation. I hope a donation even a small amount gives a good impact on local society.
Actually, United Nations is such an interesting naming. Astronauts often say that there is no border on earth when I watch it from space. Humans divided the country and made an issue, from climate change to human rights, ourselves. I don’t know how to solve it, who is in charge of it, and when it happens. It will not happen in my lifetime, but I hope it will be better during the 21 century.
Everyone knows unicef. I consider donating unicef, but I think it’s better to donate to local or Canada.
*Update: March 12, 2022
I was on the way home yesterday, someone talked to me and he explained about Doctors Without Borders. I was not sure what it is at that time, but I listened. I searched for it and I got it. It’s a different language in Asia, but I knew the organization.
*Update: March 17, 2022
In 2022, COVID does not disappear, but the world is back to normal gradually. Then, the war has started 3 weeks ago. I found World Central Kitchen when I watched CNBC about the Ukraine war.
Extra: Wikipedia
I feel that I look at this banner on Wikipedia every year during the holiday season.
Canada Charitable Donation Strategy (Basic to SECRET Strategy)
©Jacky Kuk
So niche topic. I cannot consume the information in my head right now. I don’t have any aim to save the tax or receive some benefit for making a donation. I will come back a few years later.
Conclusion: Turning point
Every people face a turning point in their life. Looking back on my 20s, so many events changed my life. Related to the topic, I visited Thailand in 2008. It was my first time going abroad. I don’t think the quality of life is low in Thailand, but I saw real poverty and human trafficking which I had never seen in Japan. It was shocking and I want to contribute somehow during my life.
For that, I have to work hard, earn money and donate it.
*Update: December 25, 2021
Through the donation experience, I could think about where I donate. I had to make a priority. It’s back to my story in the end. The budget is limited. I realized how I am tiny even I want to just pursue personal obligations.
As a web/graphic designer, I confirmed whether the website is official or not. I think this is a common situation for all donner. Sadly, there are many phishing sites on the internet. Interestingly, a good website also made me nervous actually. After all, I check it a few times before clicking the donate button.
*Update: December 25, 2022
On December 25, 2021, I wrote this blog. 1 year later, I did donate the same amount to each organization. Donation for Ukraine is no hesitancy. A few days ago, Volodymyr Zelensky visited the United State and he said,
“Your money is not charity. It’s an investment in global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”
This is the second year since I decided to take action, donate. I basically appreciate life/parents. I don’t have an issue with my health. Healthy is not naturally given. Some kids are fighting the disease. Therefore, I do donate to BC Children’s Hospital. I also appreciate to clients I work with. Clients give me an opportunity to utilize my skills and knowledge. I do contribute to clients’ businesses as much as possible. For that, I do what I like and I don’t stop learning.
*Update: December 28, 2023
At the end of 2023, I donated to the same organizations the same amount as usual. The Ukraine war is still ongoing, and the Israel-Hamas conflict has heightened tensions globally. In Vancouver, numerous issues persist, including the housing crisis, homelessness, healthcare system, infractions, wildfires, etc. In the short-term forecast, AI is estimated to impact white-collar workers. Nothing to be at ease.
Despite many people having a negative outlook, I maintain a neutral stance. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey’s message on YouTube, I begin my day by reflecting on gratitude. Regardless of the current challenges, expressing gratitude for our lives is important, even though it may seem easier said than done, especially in the face of tragedy. Life will inevitably test us.
Many wealthy people donate tons of money. It is good, but quite limited, unsustainable. I think job creation, entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos, have the biggest donations for humans even though the media criticizes them a lot.
