Difficult confession: I’m not good with disasters.

If I’m ever on a plane — and it’s going down — you can bet your britches I’ll be lunging for the nearest emergency exit like a raging bull, blindly trampling screaming children and elderly women.
If we’re trapped in a burning house, I ain’t gonna save your dog. If we’re marooned on a deserted island, and provisions are running low … well … you might wanna sleep with one eye open.

My closest connection to a life-threatening crisis was the Northridge Quake of ’94, during which I deftly dodged a falling aquarium, and lived without the latest episode of “Saved By The Bell” for a couple of days. Tragic.

All kidding aside, I’m anything but comfortable with the darkness that disasters evoke in me. I tighten.
I frighten. My animal instincts — self-preservation, at any cost — struggle to the surface, even when I’m just hearing about it, and not actually living it. Even when the disaster is thousands of miles away.

Or — to be uncomfortably precise – 8,412 miles away.

The Christchurch earthquake has left me shattered, caught between wanting to bury my head in the sand (unacceptable) and launching an international rescue operation (overwhelming). So, I’ve decided to approach the disaster (and my personal sense of discomfort) with pragmatism, and do something within my power.

A shattered offering. A secular prayer.

:: Make a contribution to New Zealand | Red Cross — in any amount — and forward a copy of your electronic receipt to alexandra@alexandrafranzen.com

Remove your donation amount, and any other personal information that you don’t want to share.

Or, email me a screenshot of your payment confirmation page.
Whatever works.

:: To honor your generosity, I’ll send you a free copy of
The Self-Promotion Toolbox, with profound gratitude.

And that’s just the beginning.

If YOU have a digital product, program or professional service that you’re willing to give away to Red Cross contributors, post an announcement (just like this one) and leave a back-link in the comments.

Don’t have anything to give away? Can’t afford a contribution? You can still help, by tweeting this post so that others can find it.

Here’s a Twitter-friendly shortlink: http://bit.ly/toolbox-for-nz.
And while you’re at it, follow @NZRedCross.

Let’s make this thing spiral outta control. Being human is awesome. And being awesome is easy.

Kia ora to my friends in Aotearoa.

Kei te aroha au ki a koe. I love you.

SHOUT-OUTS!

I wanted to publicly acknowledge the beautiful folks who’ve stepped forward and made New Zealand | Red Cross donations thus far … major gratitude to:

:: Amy McRae :: beyoutifullyamusing.com
:: Tara Gentile :: scoutiegirl.com
:: Rowan Molyneux-Roberts :: msmolyneux.blogspot.com
:: Katharine Cornfield :: houstersandco.com
:: Karen :: avironjewelry.etsy.com
:: Sab :: lafemmesabotage.wordpress.com
:: Alana :: alittleluminous.typepad.com
:: Tricia Karp :: spokenyou.com
:: Meg Goodmanson :: spiritmovesdance.com
:: Kris Appleby :: healthyalternatives.co.nz
:: Rosie Clarke :: rosieclarke.net
:: Alma Martinez :: almamartinez.com
:: Hillary Rubin :: hillaryrubin.com
:: Alissa Martin :: yogacomfortzone.com
:: My mom & dad (j’adore!)
… and a few other (shy) people.

AND!

Muchas gracias to everyone who’s been spreading the word in the Twittersphere, including:
@teezeng, @kyliewriteshere, @Sam_Orchard, @GoddessLeonie, @zenatplay, @kindovermatter, @intuitivebridge, @_ChelleShock, @victoriashmoria, @rootsofshe, @elizabethhalt, @HiroBoga, @designsofcc, @MeditativeArts, @ashleyinzer, @stranded_in_to, @koachkevin, @emilylime, @sarablackthorne, @mojotivity, @rootsofshe, @abbiemood, @glassofwin, @mindfulmindy, @sheneeh, @anarae & @juliedaley.