Get involved

You have probably already heard some form of this, (it is a story that has been told and retold over and over) but it bears repeating:

“This is a story about four people: Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when actually Nobody asked Anybody.”

I'm sure you get the picture. The story is telling us to get involved!  That certainly is good advice!

Start giving early

Is generosity something that is taught or does it just come naturally?  I'm no scientist, but the innocence and unspoiled nature of children tells me that they are  just as likely to do good as anyone.  If we teach them of the many benefits, it certainly can help them along the way.  (Sadly children also see so much bad around and can certainly pick up those habits too).

 

Involve your child in your own giving and tell they why it is you give.  If you normally place cash in a church offering plate for example, you might explain the practice to your children and then let them do it too.

 

There are so many ways to give, but think of some that involve children or that would be fun for children to do and then get your own kids involved with you.  You can go on a trash walk and clean up a local park for example or plant a tree. Do a yard sale, and give the proceeds to a local charity. Put together a birthday bag for a child living in a shelter. Volunteer or donate to a local food bank.  Read to children at your local library.  Be a big brother or a big sister. Share information about your favorite charity.

 

Start giving early?  I think it's a great idea!

How to live life

How to live life?  No, I don't have all the answers - that's for certain! Each day I do write here a little bit about living live though.  I talk about making a difference in the world, and there are so very many ways to do that.  Some folks go through life with great joy and for all too many, it is just the opposite.

One of humanity's greatest minds, Albert Einstein, once said "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." You don't have to be an Einstein to know that's the truth!

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."  That is another saying of Einstein.  This time he seems to be urging us to get involved. 

May we all keep trying new things and living our lives as is everything along the way is a miracle!

reviving a past custom

Remember when you were in school and got tons of Valentines? Remember how good that made you feel? Wouldn't it be cool to revive that custom? Well today's the day! Imagine how the homeless person you see every day would feel if you gave him a Valentine treat. Think about the elderly people you know who might not have a lot of folks in their lives anymore. I simple card could do wonders to brighten their day!

Sometimes Valentine's Day becomes a popularity contest, and I really don't think that was the original intent. I mentioned here before in fact that many schools these days have a policy that if you bring Valentine cards in to exchange, there must be one for everyone. I'm not sure if schools should get involved, but I do know it's not fun seeing some kids with tons of cards or gifts, and others with nothing. The same is just as true with adults. If you are going to spread around some joy, you might want to take care that you aren't giving to some in front of others to whom you are not giving.

The whole process though can be very simple. Those simple cards we used to give are still available. You can buy the boxes of classroom style cards with about 20 in a box, at most drugstores and discount stores. Pick up a few boxes of them and revive that old custom of giving them out to many, and give a little joy at the same time!

It's the Year of the Dragon

Happy New Year everyone! No, I am not a month late. Today begins the Lunar New Year (often called Chinese New Year even though other Asian countries celebrate) so get ready for the lion dances, dragons, fireworks, and a whole lot of tradition.

There are 12 different animals in the Chinese zodiac: the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, dragon, and pig. This is the year of the dragon. You might notice that the dragon is only animal of the zodiac that is mythical.

The occasion is celebrated differently all over the world, but most festivities include lion and dragon dances, parades, and fireworks. Over the years, I have loved the various traditions and have always enjoyed the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco.  Celebrate!  Get to know other cultures.  Enjoy the many traditions.

questions

Questions:  Is this the first time you have read this blog? Have you been here before?   What made you stop and read this?    Do you know what this blog is all about?  Have you read more than one entry?     Do you share our desire to spread good and to make a difference in the world?    Do you think it is important to give back to society?    Are there things that you do purposely to make a difference?    Would you like to share some of them with us (in the comments section below)?    Do you have any heroes?   Can you think of more ways to spread good?    What inspires you more than anything else?   Do you think you can take a few seconds to answer any or all of these questions?   Do you have any questions for us?   Do you think you will start to follow this blog regularly?  Will you tell your friends about this blog?

Fifty

Walking down an unfamiliar street in Nashville many years ago, it suddenly began to rain. It wasn't a light shower but rather a cold and pounding downpour. I wasn't wearing an overcoat and had no umbrella, so I was soaked almost immediately. My usual sunny disposition had turned to quite the opposite, but all that was about to change for the better.

 

Hurrying up the sidewalk with water pouring off of me, I looked down and there in front of me was a fifty-dollar bill! Oh my! Suddenly the rain didn't seem so bad. If it hadn't been raining, surely that money would have blown away. I put it in my pocket and continued on my way.

 

Later when I mentioned my good luck to a friend, he said "But it isn't yours. Did you even try to find the rightful owner?"

 

This wasn't a wallet or an identifiable piece of property. It was US currency that someone had likely dropped without knowing, but since I didn't witness it, how could I possibly find the person it belonged to?

 

I'm telling you this story today to solicit your thoughts. Was I wrong to keep it? Was that a dishonest act? What would YOU have done?

What makes you smile?

What makes you smile?  What is it that makes you happy?  Think really hard now - is there an incident in your life that made you the happiest you have ever been?  Think about it.  I'll bet there have been a lot of special times.  There might not have been a lot of those moments lately, but we can still have more in our future.

 

Now here's what we can do - this is something every one of us can do.  List those special moments in your life and see what they might have in common.  Were they special because of someone else?  Did someone do something really nice for you.  Was it another person's act that brought you that smile?

 

Now let us recreate those moments, only instead of us smiling - instead of us being the happy ones, let's try to put smiles on the faces of others.  Here's the things though:  in doing this, I'll bet we'll be smiling just as much as the other person!