Learning from experience makes you richer, wiser, & more hopeful

In this space between the end of the Christmas holidays and the New Year, there's an opportunity to contemplate what has been and what we hope will be. It's a rare person who feels that everything has come to pass that you hoped for... (and if you are one of those people and this is one of those years, Congratulations!)

More often what we experience in the flow of life is a rich mix of events that can be difficult to categorize; whatever they have been, they have given us the opportunity to learn. Looking for what we've learned not only helps build on success, but also can take some of the pain out of events that have not gone as hoped. It lets us turn judgments of 'good vs. bad' or 'success vs. failure' into a much richer experience, an experience that contributes to the total forward momentum and appreciation of life.

If something hasn't gone the way you hoped, look for a lesson that helps you. It may not make you love that particular experience, but at least you have something to show for it. Then, deliberately also take time to think about what you are most proud of achieving this year. 

Here are a few things that our company and staff are proud of achieving: 

For FundRaiser, the company, we're happy to have enhanced our equipment. We are working on another major enhancement that will provide additional security and a faster environment for our online customers. We're also proud to have started on the next major version of FundRaiser. 

Other personal achievements that we're proud of range from community service, to shared family time, to personal skills development.  

Autumn Shirley, CEO, is proud of progress made on establishing Ozark Regional Cats, a nonprofit to care for feral cats in the area. The process of becoming an official 501c3 is almost complete

Jonathan Smith, Lead Support Technician, is proud to have performed for the first time in front of an audience with his (then) 12-year-old daughter. She played ukulele and he played guitar at a community concert

Raymond Carson, Support Technician, is proud of having improved his drawing skill after getting a new drawing tablet that lets him draw directly on the screen. 

Tamara Lovan, Support Technician, is proud of celebrating her family's first Christmas in their new house this year. 

Sasha Daucus, Social Media Director, is proud of the many new friendships developed while working as a volunteer on community long term recovery from floods in the Ozarks this year. 

Taking the time to learn from experience makes us richer, wiser and more hopeful.

In that spirit, remember that our Support staff are here to help you with any questions you have using FundRaiser software. Wishing you a Happy New Year!