Have You Really Invested in Kony 2012?

By now you have probably heard about Kony 2012.

It is a movement started by Invisible Children to capture the leader of the LRA, Joseph Kony.

Kony has, for years, been part of the kidnapping and turning young boys into killers. It is a sad story that Invisible Children has brought to light through the Kony 2012 video.

The video has become a YouTube sensation. Over 40 million views. You or your friends have probably shared it on YouTube.

If you have not yet seen the video, you may do so below.

Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person.
— Albert Einstein

Social Media makes it easy to feel like you have invested in a cause.

There are SHARE buttons. There are LIKE buttons. All to let your friends know that something appealed to you.

It is so easy.

You click the SHARE button on Facebook. Maybe even send out an email or two to your friends.

Your good deed is done. You have done your part and invested in capturing this monster.

But have you really?

Did you donate money to Invisible Children? Did you contact them to see what else you could do? Did you organize a fundraiser to raise money for this cause?

If all you did was share the video, you did not invest in the cause. You just clicked a button. You passed on information.

You are probably thinking this is pretty harsh. It may be. But it is also the truth.

You have no skin in the game. It cost you nothing to click the button.

To really be invested, you need to give.

  • Your time
  • Your money
  • Your energy

Until it costs you something, you are not invested. You are just sharing.

The same goes for your leadership.

Do you really invest yourself in the life of those that you are leading?

Do you

  • Invest your time freely in the team? Or do you just show up and do your thing?
  • Pour yourself out for your team? Are you willing to fill them while emptying yourself?
  • Help when you see others struggling? Do you go above and beyond your title?

Take time today to reflect on how invested you really are.

Have you been clicking the SHARE button and nothing else? Or have you truly been investing in others or a cause?

Look for areas that you can fully invest yourself into.

Is there a young man or woman that needs guidance? Guide them!

Is there someone that needs help paying the bills? Invest in them!

Is there someone that needs an ear to listen? Listen to them!

Get invested and watch it multiply.

If you feel like you have not really invested into a project and have just been clicking the SHARE button, I encourage you to put your money where your mouth is, put your feet to the ground, or put your words into action.

Regardless of who points you towards an organization, please be sure to look into any organization before you donate. Make sure the money or time you give is used in a wise and proper manner.

Below you will find four ways to invest in and help the less fortunate.

Invisible Children – They are working to end the atrocities in Sudan and other countries where boys are kidnapped and made into soldiers. Share the video but, more importantly, be willing to give of your time and money if you feel led to do so. Get invested in the cause.

Kiva – They are a micro loan program. You join with others to fund the loan of an entrepreneur in another country. Eventually they will pay back the loan and you can either withdraw the money or reinvest in other entrepreneurs. Currently they are offering 38,000 new lenders $25 to loan.

Gospel for Asia – For $11 you can give a pair of rabbits and help ensure a nutritious diet for growing families as they produce up to 40 bunnies a year! After a pair is given back to the church for distribution, additional offspring can also provide income for the family as well as nourishing meals. Or you can chose one of the many other items to donate or even your time and energy.

Adventures in Missions – You can choose from many projects to donate. Whether it be for Kenya, Disaster Relief, India, or locally. They have many great options.

No man is worth his salt who is not ready at all times to risk his well-being, to risk his body, to risk his life, in a great cause.
— Theodore Roosevelt

Question: Have you thought that clicking the SHARE button was fully investing yourself in a cause? What ways have you put skin in the game by investing in a cause? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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