Wrapping this challenge up

The year is coming to an end and I'm wrapping this challenge up.  With a little bit of luck, some grinding, and playing some different games, I've pushed the bankroll for this challenge up to $4050.26.  What's more, I preemptively took out the goal donation amount of $2500 and donated to my favorite charity.  So, technically the challenge is over but I made a goal for myself to hit 5K by years end.  I'll get there for sure now.  I'm moving to bigger games tomorrow and I'm hoping to crush both of them.  If I do, I knock this challenge out of the park in a way I didn't even expect to do.  Wish me luck tomorrow.  If I do something big I'll post it then.   Until then, Challenge yourself to challenge the need.

Appologies and frustrations...losing motivation

I want to apologize for a bit of a delay in my last post.  To be honest with you, I've lost motivation a bit since this site isn't quite having the effect that I wanted it to.  Over the past month or so, I've been literally begging for people to donate to one of my favorite charities with the incentive that I'd match whatever was donated.  To say the least, it is one of the most trying things I've ever done.  I totally understand that times are hard and people are tight with money but I don't think people understand how happy it makes me to see them donate the smallest amount to something that means a lot to me.  It really has crushed me every day that has gone by with no donations.  Perhaps I'm taking it too personally but it does hurt when people don't give what equates to two coffees from Starbucks (I was asking people to donate $10).

I have found myself looking back and thinking of why I don't donate to things or have not donated in the past and some of the excuses that come up are:

• I don't have the money to help-  Although this is a very valid excuse, it doesn't take a lot to make a big difference in peoples lives.  There is never an amount that's too little.  Believe me after asking people to donate, every dollar literally made me smile.
• I don't care about the charity- Extremely valid and I would NEVER donate to something I didn't believe in, EVER. 
• Someone else will donate if I don't- This is very very untrue.  I have heard that all charities are having a harder time this year in collecting donations that are essential for them to stay afloat.  If you believe in something, it has to be YOU that does something.  You can never expect anyone else to do what you think should be done while you watch. 

I'm sure there are other excuses, some valid and some not, but the bottom line is that it is always easier to turn your head when you see someone in need.  It's easy to think that someone else will help or think about the time that you were down and no one helped you.  I challenge each of you to do something hard once a year, not for the good feeling that it give you but because it's the humane and right thing to do.  If everyone does something small we can make a big difference.

OK, enough with my frustrations and on to something positive.  I'm currently in Biloxi playing in a World Series circuit event (or 2).  I've decided that if I make a final table I'm donating 10% to charity.  So, think good thoughts and until the next post.... Challenge yourself to challenge the need.