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BONNIE BROWN'S BOOK CAN BE PURCHASED AT WWW.GIIGLEBOOK.COM. could work for the complete enjoyment of working. And then a funny thing happened; work just wasn't bringing her the same satisfaction anymore. THE WAY OF PHILANTHROPY It was a trip to Mexico that finally motivated Brown to break away from Google after five years of kneading engineers' backs. She found that she loved living the carefree life of a woman on vacation. "I was never the same after that week in Mexico," she says and, though she hated to leave, Brown was ready to start some new adventures and resigned her position at Google. At first retirement didn't work too Brown has been inundated with requests for funding, so she's very careful about her philanthropic investments. "Money slowly, but steadily took on a new identity in my mind," she says. "It was as if everything I thought I wanted in life, but couldn't afford, didn't have the same appeal anymore." One of the first things Brown did with her newfound wealth was pay off her bills. "One of the greatest feelings in life is to be debt-free," she says and paying off her car and a credit card took a big load off of her shoulders. "I licked the envelopes closed and whistled down the driveway to the mailbox." Then she smiled and walked back to the house feeling a lot lighter. "That act was the beginning of an amazing transformation in my life," Brown says. Brown also made a huge decision not to work when she was sick, which was tough for her. "Rain or shine, in sickness and in health had always been my work motto," she says, but now money wasn't an issue for her. She well for Brown. "It's a frightening feeling when you have no plan. I don't recommend it," she says. "I got up one morning and took my pajamas off and then put them back on, took them off, put them back on, and I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I have no idea what to do with myself,' and it was terrible." Brown's lack of a plan and her unsettling freedom prompted her to start a private foundation. Brown had always done charity work, but now she was excited that she would be able to offer her help in a bigger way. Today, Brown travels the world investigating ministries and, once satisfied that they are in need of her support, she helps them. "My foundation is involved in giving to missionary efforts around the world that meet the needs of the whole person, including their spiritual needs." Brown says. More specifically, she has helped during natural disasters by providing clean water; empowered the Joshua Fund in Israel to provide basic necessities for victims of war; provided the basic human needs of food, clothing, shelter—and hope—in several African countries; and provided electronics to facilitate those on the ground who are reaching out to the lost, hurt, and dying. Brown also feels blessed to have helped the Bible Archaeology Search and Exploration Institute in locating and researching biblical artifacts. Currently Brown is working with a mentor to learn about biofeedback and alternative medicine in hopes of bringing medical advancements to those in need. "[My mentor] is teaching me how to utilize medical devices—coupled with my background in nutrition counseling—to help those that my foundation has given grants to," she says. "For instance, I brought a solar powered colloidal silver generator to an orphanage on my last trip to Africa. I showed them how they can make 'silver water' to kill bacteria both in the body and on everyday living surfaces." Although she enjoys travel, Brown lives in Nevada and loves hanging out with her two daughters and four granddaughters. She also gets her own massages at least once a week and takes private Pilates classes. Brown has written a funny and encouraging memoir, Giigle—How I Got Lucky Massaging Google, garnered from journals she wrote while at Google. In the book, Brown offers an insider's look at the Google culture, offers her thoughts on the benefits of massage therapy, and takes you trotting the globe with her on her crazy adventures. Brown's memoir will captivate you, make you laugh, and you'll feel like Brown has been a lifelong friend—one of your favorite, upbeat ones. is a full-time freelance writer in the Chicagoland area. Her areas of expertise include profile pieces (which she loves to write), as well as articles in the areas of health and exercise, parenting, practice-building articles, and money-saving tips. Lisa Bakewell (www.writerlisabakewell.com) visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 77