What do YOU think?

My thoughts and the ideas I put forth each day in this space, are not the only concepts out there. Yes, I make suggestions on how we might all help make this a better world, but are my ideas any good? Are there better ways? Your sentiments are worth hearing too, even if we might not agree with them.

I have said this before, and will likely say it many more times, but even though this blog is NOT about me, it is written by me, and therefore is heavy laden with my opinion. What about yours though? You much have thoughts on the subjects I post here. Do you agree with me or disagree? Let's hear YOUR opinion too!

Right under the last line I write each day it says "blogged by Michael Fullam at time." Right next to that you will see a place where you can comment. I'd really love to hear your opinion. I'm sure many people would like to look at the thoughts of others as well.

So, after all these years, you pretty much know what I think about a LOT of things. You have read countless suggestions from me and I've told you about good deeds and folks I consider inspirations to me. Now, take a moment or two and tell me what YOU think!

Help me up the stairs

If you enter San Francisco City Hall and walk toward the center, you find yourself under the dome and in the glorious rotunda. You also find yourself at the bottom of a huge staircase (only part of which is pictured here). Imagine for a moment that due to age or injury, even two or three steps up can be a challenge. Now think about what it would be like to climb this grand staircase.  Of course there are many huge staircases - you might even have one in your own home. 

Now I do want to point out that in this particular building there are numerous ramps and a number of elevators as well. Folks with ability challenges can still get around. What if you wanted to go up and only via this staircase? How about when you are in a building where there are no ramps or elevators? The issue doesn't have to be a real set of stairs either - there are numerous figurative challenges that can slow us down. Imagine wanting very much to do a certain task, but have all sorts of blocks in your way. Oh my!

Almost every one of us has come upon a situation where we need a hand. As much as I enjoy being independent, there is nothing wrong with asking for help. What I want to express this morning is that nobody should ever have to ask. Think if you will about how wonderful it is when someone aids you without you having to request that aid. Think about how caring that is. How wonderful it would be if we ALL cared about each other, that we would help them up the stairs, they minute we realized that they would benefit from our assistance. The world is so much better when we all willingly help each other out!

Looking for something?

Yes, there are missing entries from this blog - a LOT of them as a matter of fact.  Sorry.  I wish they were still accessible, but sadly a large number of them were accidentally deleted.  We began this blog back in 2009 and wrote 3,511 posts.  Of those, less than a thousand remain available to be read.  Oh my!

I wish I had backed up the entries I posted and it would be nice if I had even kept a hard copy file, but I did not.  If you are looking for something, especially if it is prior to 2018, it is hit and miss. 

Fortunately a few that are especially dear to me remain, like what I wrote on the evening my mother passed away and several other posts about her.  There are also some where I quote others that I am happy to see have survived because they have been quoted and important information has been passed on.

To all of you who read this, especially those of you who have been around for over nine years since my very first entry, thank you!  I appreciate your reading this blog posts and I do hope you will continue with us.  Please feel free to share you comments anytime, and again my apologies for all the missing posts.

Thousands of heroes

Our story begins with a student from Florida named Seth Owens.  You may have already heard some of this - the media has reported about Seth for a number of days now.  Seth has been an excellent student.  According to those who know him, he has been excellent at just about everything.  Oh and he is also gay.

Seth's mom and dad were not too happy when they learned they had a gay son. Conversion therapy was part of their plan. Seth’s parents also told him that he had to continue attending their conservative church which outwardly attacked him and his sexual orientation or he'd need to leave home.  Seth left home.

Seth had already been admitted to Georgetown University, but how was he going to pay for it now?  In fact, how was he going to pay for anything?  Where was he going to sleep?  What was he going to eat? 

Let me remind you, Seth was not a lazy person.  Seth didn't commit a crime.  Seth wasn't a bad student with poor grades.  The only thing that changed Seth's circumstances, was his sexual orientation and his honesty about it.  Now his dream of going to college just might not happen, except for an incredible teach who brought all of this to the attention of thousands.

Jane Martin had taught Seth biology and mentored him throughout his high school years. She even invited him to be the ring bearer at her recent wedding. Now Jane was doing one more incredible thing. She setup an online fundraiser for raise money for Seth's tuition.  Jane donated and hundreds of other folks did too.  Most of the contributions came from strangers.  Money continues to come in.  Thousands have given.  If you would like to join them (any amount helps) go to https://www.gofundme.com/hoyaseth

 

It warms my heart to see so many heroes.  It warms my heart that there are so many people out there who care and who are making a difference!  Seth will be going to college, and I am certain we will be hearing so much more from him!