The payoff of working for free.

“What we do in life echoes in eternity.” – Maximus, Gladiator


What would the world be like if everyone; every man, woman and child spent one hour a week dedicated to a worthy cause? A cause they felt passionate about? Whether assisting the elderly, aiding the homeless, making a sick child’s life happier, or preserving the environment, imagine the net benefit to the world.

We cannot hope to motivate the entire world; however, we can start here and now in our own lives. Do not underestimate the power of dedicating a small fraction of your time to a cause you support, like a stone thrown into a pond, simple actions create ripples in the lives around you.

But I just don’t have any time! I would rather spend the time with my family! I have my own problems! They don’t need my help! I’m too tired at the end of the day! These are all common rationalizations for not getting involved.

Believe me, everybody on the planet can relate to these sentiments at some time in their life. What we don’t realize is that making time to dedicate to a cause can actually help resolve these problems.

· Devoting time to a cause we care about gives us a time to focus on what we believe to be the important things in life. It can be this kind of push that helps us to realize our true priorities in life and adjust our schedules accordingly to more accurately reflect what is truly meaningful and fulfilling in life.
· Family is one of the most important influences in our lives, and duty to family is a high priority for many people. Why not make your volunteerism a family event? An hour spent together working toward a common goal strengthens bonds within the family and reinforces.
· It’s true we do all have our own problems. Volunteerism lets you get a glimpse at just what kind of problems life presents to the people and world in general around us opening our eyes to the fact that our personal issues may not be as troublesome as we feel them to be, enlighten us to options we may have overlooked, and help us to build a support network of caring friends.
· While an organization may appear to have plenty of volunteers, never assume that your help would be unwelcome. Perhaps that one crucial area they need assistance in is your specialty. Don’t feel that you have to over-commit. Don’t feel like something is beneath you, you may have 2 college degrees, but swinging a hammer, picking up garbage, or serving food can be amazingly therapeutic when you can see the immediate impact of your actions.
· We are all tired at the end of the day, it is called bedtime! What we sometimes do not realize is that how we spend our time tiring ourselves out is completely up to us! You may find that dedicating time to a cause actually improves your mood and uplifts your spirits. When you know that you have spent your time making the world a better place, you might just find that you rest better at night.

We are inescapably human. While our purpose here on Earth may be open for debate, it IS possible to make a difference in the world around us. If we as individuals strive toward a better world, together we may succeed.

A great place to find an exciting volunteer opportunity is at www.ecoteer.com. Fun Luggage supports grassroot organizations, if you have a worthy cause please contact us through www.funluggage.com

Skiing: A lifetime of fun family vacations.

Skiing with your family can lead to years of fond memories of fun times for everyone in the family. A skiing or snowboarding vacation is something all ages will enjoy! Most ski resorts have programs for children as young as three, and even the most apathetic teenager will perk up at the mention of snowboarding!

Yes, skiing can be expensive, but the benefits your family will reap in the long run are worth it, and with a little forethought, you CAN afford a fantastic ski vacation without breaking the bank.

First of all, you do not need the latest and greatest skisto have fun on the slopes. Ask any skiing fanatic and you will often find they have a favorite well used that is several seasons old or older. Modern skis will last a long time, and once you find a pair you like the feel of, the only reason to upgrade is if you feel your skill level has significantly progressed beyond the ability of your skis.

Boots are without question the single most important piece of equipment. The best way to save a little cash is to shop around for last years models that are often on sale at significant discounts. Often the only difference between these and the current model are the looks. Make the sales person spend as much time with you as possible, walk all over the shop for a LONG while to make sure they fit properly. See if you can talk them into a significant discount on a pair of custom insoles. The best time of year to shop for ski gear is in the fall before the new gear arrives, and the end of the ski season when they are desperate to add a little more to the bottom line and minimize inventory going into the summer. If you are lucky you may be able to find a gently used pair of "demo" boots in your size. This also holds true for skis. Don't be afraid to buy demo skis with demo bindings especially if you only plan to use them 5 days a year. Other than being adjustable, there is minimal difference in functionality.

At www.funluggage.com we have just the right fun luggage accessories for your ski trip!