I remember clearly when the name “The Giving Gifts” came to me. I was in the car with a friend, sharing a vision for an organization that would lean into the gifts of individuals and communities to create meaningful change that those who were creating it wanted to see. I wanted to move away from the traditional model I had seen too often, where organizations focused on what individuals and communities were lacking, trying to solve problems that were never theirs to solve. "The Giving Gifts" was birthed from this idea that true change comes from recognizing and nurturing the possibilities that already exist within us.

This past Saturday was a profound reminder of that truth. As we gathered as a group of individuals who chose to show up to clean the beach in our community, I witnessed more than just the physical act of picking up trash. It was a collective effort to understand why places like Tres Emes are not just important but essential. It was about recognizing the value of the ocean and the power of community to protect it, it was about learning to not just echo a voice around you but finding your own voice and using it.

In a world grappling with immense challenges, on Saturday we faced the challenges of ongoing pollution, power-driven choices, and division, themes that feel far too relevant just about anywhere you go in this world. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, even powerless when we face the realities of the world. Yet, amidst these daunting realities, we each possess an extraordinary opportunity to exist in the world during times like these and what I left with Saturday was a peace and confidence that there is still so many possibilities to explore.

Your gift is more than just a strength or what you bring to the table. It's not limited to something you say or something you do. It's who you are. It's the sum of your strengths, your traumas, your experiences, your passions, and your unique perspective on the world. When individuals and communities recognize that they are gifts and show up, a powerful, compound reaction occurs. This is why it’s called "The Giving Gifts"—because when we embrace our identity as gifts, we continually give and inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect that magnifies our impact.

For most of my life, I've moved around, which has led to having connections in many places. There have been times when I’ve lost sight of how that is actually part of my gift. As I write this, I reflect on all the people I’m surrounded by in this still-new-to-me community. Because I carry with me a story that involves each of you, your impact is also here. Your influence, lessons, and love are woven into who I am. So If you’re wondering if these updates about a community that you’re not in matter, I hope you can see that it does because that’s how gifts work…they continue to impact, they continue to move, they continue to give.

Change isn't always immediate or visible. It unfolds like planting seeds, as a good friend recently reminded me. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement. It's about believing in the ripple effect of our choices, knowing that each seed sown will someday flourish.