When a life altering event happens suddenly the view looking from the inside out becomes a whole lot more colorful and life itself takes on new meaning.
Since being kidnapped, held hostage and forced to rob a bank to save my daughter's life, I see myself, others and my purpose, which I never even considered before, in a whole new light. My best friend says I "am determined to save the world or at least the people in it, one day at a time, in any way she can".
This holiday season my wanting to help others took a turn when I was invited to speak at a holiday event. For the first time in a long time I agreed to speak at an event pro-bono because I knew these women were a very special audience. They were all living in shelters and safe houses with their children, in hiding and on the run due to violence, abuse and trauma. I know exactly what that is like. And although I was to give them the gift of inspiration by encouraging them to give themselves and their children the priceless gift of loving themselves through it all, the gift I received just be meeting them, seeing the courage and strength in their eyes and the smiles on those kids faces was invaluable.
With their plight still in my heart I have decided to donate a portion of the proceeds from any book sales via my website to buy items desperately needed in the shelters that so many of us take for granted everyday.
My book, as described by my best friend, "is a gripping, true crime story of her life and kidnapping ordeal. You won't be able to put it down. Oh, and I am the high maintenance best friend mentioned in the book. I still can't believe she referred to me as high maintenance." Okay, so my BFF is in denial. That is another blog!
For every Held Hostage: The True Story of a Mother and Daughter's Kidnapping, or Be Your Own PR Genie book that is sold via my website, $1 will be donated to help get supplies that these shelters. I, along with my daughter, will be headed to Target the day before Christmas to get the goods and drop them off. Please buy a book or simply donate on the link on my site at www.michelle-renee.com. If it is a straight contribution of $1 or more you want to give for our shopping trip, just go to the "For The Community" page and hit the DONATE button. 100% of your contribution will go towards getting the everyday items needed.
Remember, just as I tell my daughter every time we pick up a penny, every penny counts and will soon add up to a dollar. With that one dollar you can make a positive difference!
And if you still want to give a dollar and have it help the environment...you might want to consider going to One Buck For The Planet at www.onebuckfortheplanet.org.
Follow Michelle Renee on Twitter: www.twitter.com/dreambiglife
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