Everyday, we help hundreds of people like Angela realize “they’re not alone” through education and community. And yes, you can help too. Here are their untold stories:

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From: Angela
Subject: Thank you!!

I love love LOVE tckid!

I lived in Kuala Lumpur for several years when I was younger and when I moved back to Wellington, NZ where I was born no one understood me.

I was the weird girl that came from Asia!

For the first year back I was really sick. I spent the majority of that year at home in bed. My doctor had no idea what was wrong with me and neither did any of the specialists I was referred to. I had a constant headache and aching body. In the end I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome; I suspect the doctors just wanted a diagnosis at that point.

After that first year things got better and I went back to school. I had lots of friends but kept quite a distance from everyone emotionally – I felt that I had to be careful not to start conversations with “In Malaysia…” as it bored my classmates. When I was 18 I was diagnosed with depression and put on medication for a couple of years. I was 21 when things started to get better for me emotionally and I came off the anti depressants and started to really live again.

I am now very happy in my life and so glad for my experiences living overseas and being part of other cultures. I am very happily engaged to a Chinese Malaysian man who was born in Malaysia and moved to New Zealand when he was 4. Coincidence?

Finding TCKid has been such a relief for me.

It’s funny how you can really, truly believe that you are the only person that has had these experiences and the only person that feels so confused and lonely but in actual fact there are so many people out there who can relate! You are doing such a great thing and I am so inspired by you.

I could go on and on and on and on and on… but I think I’ll leave it at that for now. Keep up the great work and thanks so much for making me realise that I am not alone!! You rock

Ange.
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Re: Thank you!!

This is a deeply personal story for me, but I am happy for you to share it.

This is the first time I have truly told anyone!

I found that in high school people thought I was making it up, that there was nothing wrong with me. So, of course I felt ashamed about it and often wondered if I was making it up. Now I know that the emotional pain I felt affected me physically and it was not my fault and I shouldn’t feel ashamed.

At the end of the day, I know what’s real and how I feel and I am incredibly grateful for the experiences I have had. ”

Want to leave Angela a comment? Leave a comment below.

Want to help people like Angela? Become a Partner.

Hey,
I know it’s been a while since you heard from me– I’ve been busy helping my mom fulfill her dream of becoming a bikini model. (Seriously!)

After her car accident, I promised to immortalize her personal story on video to hand it down to future generations. So .. here it is:

Watch how my brave overweight mom lost 35 pounds and became a bikini model (1:30mins)

(She does something funny at the end of the video. hehe..)

Her dream is to create a world where every woman loves their body. If she can do it, you can too!

Her next challenge: She’s training for a charity run in England for 6 months.

I hope she inspires you to pursue your dreams!
Brice

P.S: Want to leave my mom a comment? You can leave her a comment below on the blog or on the video.

What’s your dream? Let me know! I can help you bring your story alive and sharing it with the world… or at least to my cat.

Homeless Outreach: Feed 85 people in 2 hours: 15+ friends gave 85+ food bags by Brice Royer. Want to help? Learn how you can get involved.

“I don’t have a culture. I don’t have a place of belonging.” says this homeless man who lived on the streets almost all his life. “I don’t have a job and I’m lonely.” another homeless man said.

“You’re not alone”, I explained. “You’re not an accident. You have a purpose in life.”

My friends and I recently organized a homeless outreach in downtown Vancouver and around 15 friends gave away approx. 85+ food bags in two hours on the ground.

During our outreach, I met three sexually abused women, one unemployed teacher with chronic pain barely able to pay for food, and a few homeless people struggling with drug addiction.

Some didn’t want the food, but they sure enjoyed our company. There’s an important lesson here: People need friendships sometimes more than food. We can’t live on bread alone.

According to research, “Loneliness is a greater risk for mortality than cigarette smoking.” says Nicholas Epley, a researcher at the University of Chicago.

Loneliness is the silent killer that affects the homeless man on the street and the wealthy who feel unfulfilled with mundane and superficial friendships.

We all crave a real connection. We want to be cared for. And yet, we’re afraid of engaging in a heart-to-heart connection and we push it away.

While most people would think their situation is hopeless, I believe the opposite is true.

A year ago, I met a man who was homeless and about to commit suicide with a needle in his arm. I met him again recently at a social event.

“Hey! I remember you!” he said with a big smile. I was very surprised at how much he has changed. Not only he overcame his drug addiction, but he was recently featured in our local newspaper for starting a ministry to help the homeless downtown.

Incredible.

“It’s amazing what a year can do to transform people’s lives.” I said. “You bet.”

If there is hope for him, then there is hope for all of us.

RESOURCES:

• Did you know there that 15 percent of the U.S population is chronically lonely— or some 29 to 45 million people? That figure is even higher if you include other countries. Learn more

• Learn how you can help
  (Read more success stories)
  

Suzanne N. a woman from Reno, NV, who recently discovered she “wasn’t alone” was healed from years of depression, anxiety disorder, unexplained chronic pain and arthritis.

"People did not understand me and I could not find other people who shared my experience. I was lonely, and I was always the "outcast".

She writes: “Only 4 days ago, I read about the “challenges” [on your site]. I cried for 8 hours. And suddenly I have been free of pain for four days. I also have energy that I have not had in 25 years. I feel good and I want to go out and go for a walk, or go shopping, or maybe go to the park and paint.”

She shares her incredible success story below. I hope it inspires you.

“When I returned to the USA, I was very excited — another adventure, and I was very hurt and disappointed by my re-entry. I was unprepared, and I sort of “lost myself”. It didn’t matter where I went in the USA. From Los Angeles, to New York, to Hawaii, and to my parents home where I live now in Nevada.

People did not understand me and I could not find other people who shared my experience. I was lonely, and I was always the “outcast”.

For several years, I drifted around, trying to “connect” and when that failed, I drifted from relationship, to relationship, just trying to be connected, to a place, to a person, to a feeling. I went from problem to problem, with never any relief or solution. I was in and out of therapy with counselors, and was convinced for years that I had a personality disorder. My family could not understand what was “wrong” with me and the few friends that I had told me I just needed to pray more, to go to confession more often.

For years I have been depressed, with severe “anxiety disorder”, severe “OCD”. I had chronic, unexplained pain in my neck, shoulders, back, hands. I was “diagnosed” with arthritis in my hands.

My priest was the only person who recognized that I WASN’T a wierdo, or mentally ill. He told me I needed to find other people who had similar backgrounds to be friends with. And he was RIGHT! I just found out about TCK as a group, as an experience recently.

Only 4 days ago, I read about the “challenges”. I cried for 8 hours. And suddenly I have been free of pain for four days. I also have energy that I have not had in 25 years.

I feel good and I want to go out and go for a walk, or go shopping, or maybe go to the park and paint. (I’m an artist, but have always been in the studio —now I feel like going outside to paint)

My story: I graduated from high school early, in January of 1984 from Frankfurt American High School in Germany. I was “acting out” as a TCK even then and I wanted to run away from home. So I did. I came back to the States and stayed with my grandparents —my father was set to retire that year, but not until several months later. He and my mother decided on Reno, Nevada because for a federal retiree (he was CIA) there are no state income taxes. This decision on his part, was to impact my life in so many dysfunctional ways! (I am not blaming them , just being honest)

I came here that year, and stayed with my mother’s parents because they lived not far away, in Carson City. Immediately, I was the animal of the “pack who smelled different.” From then, my life spiraled into a world of complete dysfunction. NO one talked about TCK’s back then. And no one knew that what I was experiencing was “normal”. I was branded as a lunatic (and a liar) by my peers and as a “screw up” by my extended family. I did not even know how to apply to a college, and I was terrified of growing up. So I wandered from job to job, relationship to relationship with backward, globally ignorant, and globally blind people. This may sound harsh, but it’s the truth.

In retrospect I now see clearly how I sought relief: I “ran away” to Los Angeles, had many inappropriate relationships, and even went back to Europe for awhile.

For years, I thought I was defective as a human being. I found good friendships though, with other “immigrants.” In my city and state, this means “Mexicans”. Although I was far more educated and “cultured” than they in many cases, I found common ground and excellent friendships with them. In “white” society, I was the one who “smelled” different as in my analogy above. They immediately sensed I was not one of them and I was ostracized quite effectively by supervisors, peers and those of “equal” or “equivalent” so-called culture and education. I have found great solace and consolation in reaching our to the Hispanic community and working with gang members on “street art projects”, showing them how to use their artistic skills and abilities to leave the gangland behind as a place of “belonging”.

The desire to “belong” is more powerful than a passport, and more binding than a contract with any “devil” either perceived or “real”. We are all wounded souls and we are all searching for a place to belong. This knowledge that I am a TCK only serves to strenthen my resolve to continue to reach out, even though I may be rejected and scorned.

As for joining this community: I cannot believe the difference in how I feel. And just writing this here, for your question, makes me feel even better! Thank you! Thank you for being my “friend” even if it’s only here, online. You have made a difference in my life just because you are here, and you are willing to listen.

To all the TCK’s of every nation, every flag, every corner of the world, I want to say :

Thank you! I am honored to be your sister and I am very serious when I say: my home is always home for you. My heart is always open to you. My hands will always find a way to help you.

One Hope-One Love,

Suzanne”
Do you have any comments to share? Please leave them below.

Resources:

How to help Brice: Create a world where everyone belongs
Want to help me? Learn how you can help support this mission.

Did you say “I love you” to your family and friends recently?

My mom got hit by a car the other day. The driver hit
her knee and she fell down in the street in shock.

I made a video update here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YwkUAc8ePA

Sleepy Brice and Aziza, the hyper energetic mom

I was really shocked.. But the good news is she’s still alive!

She’s a bit paranoid of crossing the street now… so I’m keeping an eye on her to see if there’s any psychological issues I need to report from this accident today.

We have already forgiven the driver. It could’ve happened to anyone really..

I hope your family and loved ones are doing well?

Life is extremely short. I wanted to write this to remind you
to tell the people in your life how important they are
and how much you love them!

Don’t wait too long. I hope you’ll put the past behind you.

Sometimes just saying “I forgive you” or “I love you” will make
a big difference in your life.

A bientot,

Brice

P.S: Leave me a comment below on the blog and I’ll respond to you.

A TCK just emailed me and said someone in her family got his first and only “I love you” from his dad on his death bed. Now he tells everyone how much he loves them.

You may find this post interesting on grief: Grief expert: “My life is good, but why don’t I feel that way?”

Tom is an experienced counselor who has helped over 1000 victims in 9/11 in NYC recover from grief and trauma. He shares his wisdom with TCKs at TCK Academy. I hope that helps you or someone you know.

(Photo credit: Businessweek)

What will the future of the nonprofit sector look like in four years, ten years or twenty years? According to a Duke University professor and author David Rendall, social enterprise could be the future of non-profit funding.

Recent studies point out there is a Non-profit worker Burn Out and emerging leader deficit. “Low salaries, long hours and never-ending to do lists plague the non-profit sector.”

Harvard Business: New Landscape for Non-Profits:

Today the U.S. government no longer considers nonprofits to be entitled–or even best qualified–to provide social services. Profit-seeking companies like Lockheed Martin are now winning contracts for such services (…) The change raises fundamental questions about the mission and future of nonprofits. Because nonprofits now find themselves sharing territory with for-profits, sometimes as collaborators and sometimes as competitors, the distinctions between these organizations will continue to blur.

A response to a 2006 report that found 75 percent of nonprofit executive directors were planning to leave in the next five years. The 2008 report surveyed 6,000 emerging leaders in the nonprofit sector, and found 69 percent of them felt underpaid.

The reaction to the Meyer Report have shook the non-profit world and caused many blog discussions, including the emergence of Non-profit 2020, a conference to engage emerging leaders in a discussion on the latest reports on the leadership deficit, and a very interesting discussion of Nonprofits of the Future on Social Edge.

There is a growing desire from the non-profit sector for self-reform.

What are the proposed solutions?

Derwin Dubose, a fundraising professional with eight years of experience in development with non-profits, writes on his blog:

As of 2006, there were nearly 1 million 501(c)(3) organizations in the US — a nearly 70% increase from the 536,000 there were ten years earlier — and I’ve heard that number currently grows at a rate of 1,000 per month. As the number of non-profits grows, inefficiency within our field goes up while the pool of available donors shrinks. Competition will be high for donations, and only well-oiled organizations will be able to thrive in the super-saturated market.

Professor David Rendall, makes the following suggestions:

1. Organizations should combine service with business: Given the conditions of the market for non-profits, how can non-profits protect themselves for the future? One way to look at becoming a social enterprise: a non-profit organization that generates earned income to support its social purpose. Earned income is revenue that’s received in exchange for products or services.

2. Social enterprise should participate in the Experience Economy. More and more, consumers are paying top dollar to have unique experiences. Non-profits should consider eco-tourism, travel, direct service opportunities, and experiential events as new fundraising mechanisms.

3. Don’t take on business models that have been rejected by the private sector. In the age of eBay, we don’t need another thrift store.

4. Consider other audiences for our organization. Too often, groups dismiss social enterprise because the people they serve can’t afford to pay.

5. And finally, don’t start a non-profit, start a social enterprise that can make money and then fund charitable pursuits. Starting a business is far, far easier than starting a non-profit. All of the forms, legal information, reporting, and liability with a non-profit added to the super-saturated market for non-profits is reason enough to concentrate on social enterprise.

What are your thoughts? What will the future of the nonprofit sector look like in four years, ten years or twenty years? Retweet/Share. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

Resources :

Study: Nonprofit Burn Out. 75% of non-profit executive directors plan to leave in the next 5 yrs. (Some work 3 jobs.)

http://np2020.org/ Non-profit 2020. Engaging emerging leaders in a discussion on the latest reports on the leadership deficit.

Nonprofits of the Future, a discussion on Social Edge

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to lead a non-profit? The Meyer Foundation conducted the largest national survey to date of emerging nonprofit leaders. They asked close to 6,000 people across the country about the disadvantages and benefits of heading a nonprofit organization.

When I read this report, I immediately thought: “Wow, I’m not alone!”

You’ll have an intimate peek of my life and anyone leading a non-profit organization, charity, association or community.

Read the full report from the Meyer Foundation

“What we learned was sobering. War for talent or no, those who care about the health of the
charitable sector—those who believe, as we do, that strong nonprofit leaders are the best predictors
of organizational success—can draw both warning and inspiration from the results of this survey.”

* In 2006 the Meyer Foundation, working in partnership with CompassPoint Nonprofit
Services, released a report showing that three out of four executive directors planned to leave
their jobs within the next five years.

* These leaders cited a lack of adequate compensation, burnout, and overwhelming fundraising responsibilities as reasons for their departure. The survey and focus groups for this follow-up study show that emerging leaders are acutely aware of these challenges. They see the executive directors of their own organizations struggle, and often fail, to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Not surprisingly, many next generation leaders wonder how they would fare as heads of their own organizations.

* Money issues loom large for many of these would-be leaders. Close to two-thirds of our survey respondents report having financial qualms about committing to nonprofit careers.

* Over two-thirds (69 percent) feel they are underpaid for the work they currently do. Focus group participants discussed having to forego luxuries their friends could easily afford. Some described how they had to take on second jobs to supplement their nonprofit salaries.

* A report by The Bridespan Group, for example, indicates that by 2016 the nonprofit sector will need 80,000 new senior managers each year, 40 percent more each year than is currently required. Demand pressures and a constrained supply will challenge nonprofit boards of directors and recruiters who must compete against
government and business for talented leaders.

The survey results described in this report tell us a lot about ourselves, and not all of it is flattering. The wisdom on the streets—confirmed to some degree by this study—is that we tend to undervalue nonprofit work and the people who do it. Even those of us who should know better sometimes fall prey to the notion that important charitable work can and should happen at a discount. This same idea animates the view that professionals who toil at nonprofits ought to work longer hours and for less pay than their for-profit counterparts. Where does this idea come from? Perhaps we’ve all heard too many charitable organizations promise that 100 percent of our donated dollars will support those who are most in need. Our desire to cut out the middle men—those who actually feed the hungry, house the homeless, and heal the sick— might also be rooted in the notion that acts of giving ought to be kept “pure.” The archetype of the charitable act includes a generous donor and a grateful supplicant. It leaves little room for the people who do the very hard work of delivering nonprofit services.

We undervalue these people at our peril. Nonprofit executive directors are burning out and leaving the sector in alarming numbers. Meanwhile, emerging leaders are thinking twice about stepping into the breach. This is a great shame when we consider the extraordinary vision and values that drew these talented people into our sector in the first place.

So what are some solutions?

According to Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace prize winner, the solution is a social business that can create a world without poverty. You can read more below:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0215/p09s01-coop.html

What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment below

It’s true. I am a failure and I’m not afraid to admit it, because it’s the truth. I may be a failure, but failure is the best thing that ever happened to me. My failures are my most valuable assets.

Why? Because I found my purpose through failures. I also found humility and realized I’m not better than anyone else.

What does failure mean to you? What are some of your failures? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you.

I failed a lot in life, at school, business, career, relationships… and the list goes on.

Let’s look at some of my failures, imperfections, and challenges:

But my biggest failure in life was to focus on my biggest failures. Big mistake. Everyone does fail at something. Let’s forgive ourselves and move on.

Today I’m still alive and those doctors and teachers were wrong.

I cured myself of years of disability in 1 hour. Sounds crazy but it’s true.
6 months later, my business eventually became successful enough to support myself and my mom so she could quit her job.
I quit my job and saved all my money to move to a new city and take 1 year off work to fulfill my dream and contribute.
I have amazing, compassionate, loving, purpose driven friends from all over the world
I’ve had mind blowing dating and relationship experiences.
I’ve experienced an incredibly fulfilling life and I’m grateful for every moment ….

Basically, I turned those challenges into strengths and opportunities. It was scary, but really worth it. I still make a lot of mistakes and fall down a lot, though.

Have you failed a lot too? If you are, then you and I are in good company.

Who else failed? Here’s a list of top 10 biggest failures:

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed…. I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying. “

- Michael Jordan

“Would you like me to give you a formula for… success? It’s quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure.”

-Thomas J. Watson, Founder of IBM.

“Success is 99% failure”

- Honda

* Albert Einstein (age 10) “You will never amount to much,” schoolmaster.
* Ludwig van Beethoven. No talent for music … “as a composer he is hopeless,” music teacher.
* Thomas Edison. too stupid to learn anything, teacher.
* The Coca Cola Company. Sold only 400 bottles its first year in business.
* The Beatles (1962). “We don’t like their sound … guitar music is on the way out,”Meca Records.
* Jack Canfield and Mark Hanson. “Nobody wants to read a book of short little stories,” one of the 144 publishers that rejected the book proposal for “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”

Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved.

—Lao Tzu

“Failure is not giving things a go in the first place. People who fail are those who don’t have a go and don’t make an effort. Failures can’t be bothered. There are few people who’ve tried something and fallen who didn’t get enormous satisfaction from trying, and I’ve learned more from people who have tried and faltered than from the few charmed people for whom success came easy.

- Richard Branson

What should we do when we fail?

The word “Failure” needs to be redefined.

FAILURE
Old Definition:
A negative, fatal, and final result indicating:
* An inability to perform and a lack of success.
* A falling short because of ineptness, deficiency, or negligence.
* A bad, bad thing that should be avoided, mourned, and punished.

New Definition of Failure

A short-term unexpected result that reflects a challenge in progress and that provides:

* A stepping stone to success.
* An opportunity for learning and development.
* An opportunity for creative change and innovation.

Learn From Failure!

“ Once you embrace unpleasant news not as negative but as evidence of a need for change, you aren’t defeated by it. You’re learning from it.”

—Bill Gates

What about you? What are your thoughts on failure? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you.

If any of my blog posts, services, tweets, coaching or conversations has helped you, made you smile, or made your life better in any way, would you share your experience? My personal goal is to improve the life of least 100,000 people. If that inspires you, please do the same and help 1 person today! Together we can all make a difference.

You can send me feedback on:

* How have I helped you?
* What results you’ve achieved from this help?
* All of the above if any?

Please send in your feedback using the form below. Don’t forget to include your site URL and picture.

Thank you so much for taking the time.