‎”Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I’ve recently been posting quotes on our Facebook and Twitter pages and this particular quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson has stuck with me given the relationships we share with different humanitarian organizations.

Interacting with these organizations, I’ve come to realize that it is the Compassions, Invisible Childrens and World Visions of our society that have literally gone where there is no path. They are leaving trails that range from putting systems in place to educate people on running a self-sustaining community to trails that are literally ending wars. And there are trails everywhere in between that are forever changing lives of people that are severely affected by conditions beyond their control.

Simply put, the staffs of these organizations are deveoting their heartbeats and all of the life within them to do the right thing. This work is not for the faint of heart. It is not safe. It is not easy. It isn’t glamorous. And we are honored to support these people…we can’t say that enough.

So “thank you” to our partners for simply doing what you do. You turn unchartered territory into a formula that helps the very humanity we are all a part of. You are making a huge difference. You are leaving the trail that makes it easier for other people and organizations to aid humanity in the way you have shown them how.

Click on the links to learn more about Compassion International (our 3rd quarter partner), Invisible Children (our 4th quarter partner) and World Vision (our partner for early 2011).

(Photos by Austin Mann :: www.austinmann.com :: @austinmann)