For those of you who haven’t taken notice, there are many perks to being a professional baseball player.  While living this life is far from easy, there is tremendous good that can come from being part of the baseball family.  More often than not, I believe that I was placed on this path, alongside David, so that we can touch and enrich the lives of those less fortunate.   As a baseball wife, I have given up my career in order to lift up my husband’s.  I have touched on this numerous times throughout my blog but I sincerely believe that my job in this life is to support my beloved – being the best wife and mother possible.
Out of all the benefits being a big leaguer brings, the one that stands out is the backing you receive for your philanthropic work.  This is the main reason I have had to hold off on starting a Foundation with David.  For a long time now I have wanted to create a 501C3 but as the saying goes- the best things in life are worth waiting for…   I recognize that while there is no certainty in this world and especially none, that David will be a Major Leaguer, I look forward to the day when we can reach large audiences for the purpose of good.
One of my favorite quotes: You must be the change you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi 
You have heard this time and time again; it is a fundamental truth and something that one cannot ignore.   We, as responsible beings, given the gift of life, must look within and establish what we want for ourselves in our present existence.    This revelation must begin from your core and transmit into a greater purpose.
You must first begin by entrusting yourself, holding dear the belief that you are willing and able to do whatever you set your heart and mind to do; one cannot accomplish their maximum potential with a disjointed heart and mind.   These changes can begin with a mere step.  Believe, allow your potential to unfold and welcome the change towards a greater you and subsequent world!
For those of you who are loyal readers of this blog, you are aware that I, myself, have found a resounding passion for animal rights.   Although I have only taken a few steps in this journey, I have begun to make the change that I hope will permeate into the lives of many.
Another truthful quote by Mahatma Gandhi that I love and pertains so well to animal advocacy is, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”   I am 100% convinced that compassion and love are what make this world turn.   In order to have lightness we have darkness and with good comes evil.  These are all polar opposites and as such there is an opposition to love, that which is war.    There is so much hope within our nation, yet at the moment we are stuck fighting a war with our pet overpopulation epidemic (more details on this here: The pet revolution starts with you: Spay and neuter your pets).  While our pet crisis may be minor in comparison to other things, it gives light to the greater issue – lack of compassion.  I find that the compassion or lack thereof for animals transcends cultures.  As humans, if we can open our hearts to animals then we are one step closer to understanding what it means to have unconditional love for our fellow humans.
Whether it be for animal rights or another cause you hold dear to your heart (I have many!), I encourage you to take a single step in the right direction and to make a change that you wish to see in the world!
Many blessings and love.
BE THE COMPASSIONATE.  BE THE EMPATHETIC.   BE THE MORAL.   BE THE PROGRESSIVE.
BE THE EXAMPLE.  And as always…BEGR8ER!