hello? anybody out there?

Who reads this stuff?  I wonder that a lot.  It was never my purpose to have tons of daily readers and to receive so many comments and so much email that I could not keep up with it, but the fact is, I get only about two or three comments a month.  This makes me wonder is there anybody out there?

Part of my wondering of course is to see if this is all going in a good direction.  I want to make a difference in the lives of others.  I want to encourage other people to make a difference in their various ways.  I want to light a fire or put some fuel on an already lit fire and see how great we can make this world of ours.  If we all contribute, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished!  There is so much good in the world and I am always encouraged when I see that good.  I am also personally encouraged when I hear that people read these words and that it has some kind of meaning for them.  Please feel free to make suggestions too.

Next month is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and now more than ever we need positive reinforcement, so I will most likely be writing on that subject all month long. Since you just made it through these three paragraphs, why not take a second and say something in the comments area below.  Is there some way of giving back that you think I should be talking about?  Tell me!  Do you know a giver that perhaps I should profile here?  Tell me!  Do you think I need to change my focus or say more (or less) about something?  Tell me!  I really would love to hear from you.

The Twenty

I have told this story before about how special we all are, but I really like it and some of you might not have read my blog the day I told this before, so here it is again.  A well-known speaker started off his seminar holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this."

 

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We may feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. You are special - Don't EVER forget it."

As I mentioned above, I am retelling this wonderful story, and the first time I posted it, it was a retelling too. I have no idea who first told it - it's been circulating on the internet for some time.  The significant thing is the messages it brings.  We are all special.  We should all count our blessings, and NOT our problems!

Can we all be superheroes

Do you have what it takes to be a Superhero? I think we all do. Too few of us act on that though. There are all kinds of things we can do though to make a difference in this world, and it doesn't require any special powers at all.  This morning I was thinking about some fictional superheroes and somehow got thinking about the real ones too.

While the adventures of Alexander Lexington, Peter Parker, Julia Cornwall Carpenter, and Scott Lang may be a lot of fun, there are everyday folks who are superheroes, and I would love to see more said about them. Oh, and for me, the folks who do good after something good has been done for them, and special pay-it-forward heroes. A small act can be huge to another person.

Does a superhero have to be a famous person? Of course not! We are more likely to hear about them, but there are everyday heroes that nobody ever hears about, and they are so very important too. We all can be those heroes. We all can stand up and make a difference.

Who are the heroes in your life? A teacher perhaps, or maybe your parents? What about a famous singer or athlete? One of my heroes is rapper and activist Jason Chu who several years ago shared some powerful lyrics "But I’ve learned: a hero isn’t about being super. We become heroes because of what makes us human."

Be the reason someone smiles

Have you ever walked down the street early in the morning and had someone smile and say hello to you? It actually used to be quite common. It still happens here and there, but mostly in smaller communities. I don't know about you, but that kind of friendliness can really make my day. Their smile becomes my smile!

Of course there are many reasons to be happy. The barista who serves my coffee, remembering exactly how I like it from my previous visits, and who hands it to me with a smile. His smile, becomes my smile! The same thing happens when I am crossing the street and a driver waits to let me go ahead with a wave and a smile. (I think you know where this is going). Her smile becomes my smile! That's how it goes throughout the day. Someone has a smile, and now I do too.

Being nice is always a good thing. Sharing the joys of life not only makes others happy, but can help to keep you happy. It's like a circle. Happy people don't have to put a lot of effort into it. It just comes naturally. Some of us have to think about it a little more. Whatever the case though, be happy, and share it. Be the reason someone smiles today!

more and more new ideas

Every single morning, I sit down to write something here about how we all can make a difference in this world of ours and after all these years, you might think I would run out of ideas.  Not so!  It seems there are more and more ideas every single day and I thank you for sharing some of them with me.  I'd always like to hear more too, so if you think of something I don't mention, please feel free to email me or write a comment below.

 

Just when you move past one really great idea, you see several other doors with all kinds of new possibilities.  Lately I have been seeing ideas everywhere!  In addition to this blog, I also write a few words every day about kindness.  I hope I will always have more and more new ideas in that regard.  We should never run out of new ways to be kind.
 

Some of the most inspiring things in life just come to us out of the blue.  You might be reading this blog or shopping for groceries or taking the kids off to school and suddenly an idea hits you.  If those are ideas that will benefit others, share them.  Who knows?  Your next idea might really change the world!

confused?

Today is Memorial Day.  Is it the official start of summer? Is this a boating and picnic celebration? Is today's holiday meant as a time to rest from work? Actually, folks will hang all of those tags on Memorial Day, and an extra day off as summer approaches (it doesn't actually begin until next month) with a little time out on the water, or holding a cookout, can certainly be fun. Please don't think for a second that I dislike any of those things, but today has a larger purpose, and all too often that is overlooked. Even folks who know of a connection to military personnel, will often get it wrong.

The purpose of Memorial Day is to remember and be thankful for all the men and women who died fighting for our country, or from wounds sustained while fighting.  While cemetery ceremonies do indeed happen on Veterans Day (and even to some extent on Independence Day), remembering those who died while fighting is the specific focus of today.  Today was NOT set aside to honor and thank all those people who served honorably in our military (that's Veterans Day). 

But yes, we can have a barbecue or play some softball or even head out to the sales on lawn furniture.  None of those are bad.  Just pause at some point and remember the brave men and women who really made a difference in this world!

The eye of the beholder

What is the most beautiful thing you can think of? Your mother's smile? How about a colorful flowerbed? Perhaps a gorgeous piece of jewelry?  Maybe a child peacefully napping?  The bright golden sunrise? Beauty might not just be something you are looking at, but perhaps you think first of the beauty of a deed that someone does.

 

Think about it for a moment. Did you recently hear someone remark "Oh, that's so beautiful"? Do you remember what they were talking about? 

 

Of course, beauty isn't always the same for everyone. It's in the eye of the beholder, some say. Benjamin Franklin wrote in Poor Richard's Almanac back in 1741, "Beauty, like supreme dominion, Is but supported by opinion."

Beauty can be anywhere.  So, what do YOU think is beautiful? Please give us some examples in the comments below. I'd really love to hear your thoughts.

Too Big

The whole task - the "making change in the world" idea - some may just shrug their shoulders and say "It's too big"! How often have we heard that? There is so much to do. How can one person make a difference? With that "it's too big" attitude, we are counting ourselves out even before we begin. It's the little things though that really can make a difference. Certainly, we can all do some little thing! 

It was Mother Teresa (now recognized as a saint) who said "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." She certainly got that one right!

Don't worry if you don't have tons of time or tons of money. Give what you are able to give. That's the key.  If we each give back something - anything, it really will make a difference! Give a few minutes of your time. Put a sign up in your window.  Donate cash or clothing.

In the familiar Bible story of the loaves and fishes feeding the five thousand, we always assume that Jesus created more food. What if it was a different kind of miracle? What if Jesus made us do the work that he knew were capable of doing? If some of the people had brought food with them, even if just a tiny snack, then they could have combined that and everyone could have been fed. Now I know some of you might not like me suggesting that a popular Scripture happened a little differently than we have always thought, but consider it for a moment. The crowd was too big to be fed by the small amount of food they knew they had. Jesus was not worried at all though. Very much the same as now. We ask God for more food or more money or a better job. Perhaps when we achieve these things it is because he led us to our own accomplishment.

If we all do a little - if we all do what we can, it will make a difference. Nothing is too big when everyone pitches in!

Van Gogh's legacy

The Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh was many things (not just the inspiration for Don McLean's 1971 hit song), but we remember him most for his numerous self-portraits and his lovely starscapes. Van Gogh was not famous during his lifetime, but his posthumous fame shows us a man who not only was an incredible artist, but also a man of great wisdom. Much of the information we have of him is from correspondence between him and his brother.

One thing I find particularly inspiring is this thought from him: "The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore."

He also said, "If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."

This probably isn't what you were expecting from me on this May morning. I was thinking about kindness (I write another blog every day about being kind in the world) and self-doubt came to mind. Just like we should never hold back from being kind and caring people, we should also not let things hold us back, especially those voices of self-doubt from within. Just do it!

hope

Hope is something that we ALL need. These days, with so much division around us, we might even need it more than ever. In An Essay on Man, Alexander Pope wrote "Hope springs eternal in the human breast." Indeed.

All too often there is a lack of hope.  That was what Harvey Milk was talking about in his famous "hope" speech from 1978. I was thinking about Harvey last night and the hope he gave (and still gives) to so many.  On this Harvey Milk Day, I'd like to share a portion of that speech:

"The first gay people we elect must be strong. They must not be content to sit in the back of the bus. They must not be content to accept pablum. They must be above wheeling and dealing. They must be -for the good of all of us - independent, unbought. The anger and the frustrations that some of us feel is because we are misunderstood, and friends can't feel the anger and frustration. They can sense it in us, but they can't feel it. Because a friend has never gone through what is known as coming out. I will never forget what it was like coming out and having nobody to look up toward. I remember the lack of hope - and our friends can't fulfill it.

"I can't forget the looks on faces of people who've lost hope. Be they gay, be they seniors, be they blacks looking for an almost-impossible job, be they Latins trying to explain their problems and aspirations in a tongue that's foreign to them. I personally will never forget that people are more important than buildings. I use the word 'I' because I'm proud. I stand here tonight in front of my gay sisters, brothers and friends because I'm proud of you. I think it's time that we have many legislators who are gay and proud of that fact and do not have to remain in the closet. I think that a gay person, up-front, will not walk away from a responsibility and be afraid of being tossed out of office. After Dade County, I walked among the angry and the frustrated night after night and I looked at their faces. And in San Francisco, three days before Gay Pride Day, a person was killed just because he was gay. And that night, I walked among the sad and the frustrated at City Hall in San Francisco and later that night as they lit candles on Castro Street and stood in silence, reaching out for some symbolic thing that would give them hope. These were strong people, whose faces I knew from the shop, the streets, meetings and people who I never saw before but I knew. They were strong, but even they needed hope.

"And the young gay people in the Altoona, Pennsylvanias and the Richmond, Minnesotas who are coming out and hear Anita Bryant on television and her story. The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope. Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come to if the pressures at home are too great. Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the us'es, the us'es will give up. And if you help elect to the central committee and other offices, more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised, a green light to move forward. It means hope to a nation that has given up, because if a gay person makes it, the doors are open to everyone.

"So if there is a message I have to give, it is that I've found one overriding thing about my personal election, it's the fact that if a gay person can be elected, it's a green light. And you and you and you, you have to give people hope."

Many people have run out of hope.  Don't let that happen to anyone else.  Harvey Milk was right of course.  You have to give people hope. John Lennon believed the same thing - “You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.  I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.”  

Give, give, give

How many ways are there to give?  My dear readers, the list is endless.  You can give back in so many ways!

 

Volunteer to tutor kids after school. Go on a trash walk and clean up a local park. Plant a tree. Do a yard sale, and give the proceeds to a local charity. Volunteer at one of the more than 3,190 shelters in the country. Volunteer or donate to a local food bank. Collect non perishable food items at your next birthday party instead of gifts.

 

Give money to your favorite cause.  Adopt a pet. Read to children at your local library.  Put together a birthday bag for a child living in a shelter. Volunteer at the hospital.  Send a letter to a solider. Donate money in honor of a friend or in memory of a loved one.  Be a big brother or a big sister.

 

Give, give, give!  It really is a wonderful way to live!  Any special ways YOU have of giving back?  Let me hear from you!

Blood

One of the kindest things a person can do is donate blood. Donating blood can save lives and has benefits for both the recipient and the donor.

To donate blood, you need to be in good health, at least 16 years old (17 in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds, have not donated blood in the last 56 days, and be able to pass the physical and health-history assessments.  Most of the population is eligible to donate yet sadly too few actually do.

Not sure if you can?  Check with your nearest blood bank.  In large cities, you can donate any day of the week.  In smaller communities, blood drives are held at hospitals, schools, churches, and other locations.  Despite all of our scientific advances, we cannot create blood in a laboratory.  When someone needs a transfusion, it comes from the blood already donated and on hand.  I have had the privilege of coordinating blood drives in my city for a number of years and I just scheduled events all the way through next year.

If you already are a blood donor, thanks so much.  Keep it up.  Think about reaching out to friends, family, and coworkers.  Blood is always needed.

inspire someone

Did you ever see such a powerful act of love that you were moved to tears? Even in the midst of so many hate crimes and two recent mass shootings, there are still moments that warm our hearts. Has something you read about or even something that you were actually involved in led you to want to do more?

We can find inspiration in so many places. Sometimes one person’s inspiration can be just as moving to others. 

With that in mind, I invite you to share with us here any inspirational moments you have encountered. Leave a comment below. Write as much or as little about the experience as you like. Write something though - we would really love to hear from more of you!  I know I frequently ask for comments, but it truly is good to hear from those who read this.  

Perhaps YOU will inspire someone!

Givers and Takers

There are two kinds of people in this world:  givers and takers.  It is very likely that the takers eat better, but I am absolutely certain that the givers sleep better!  (Someone, Marlo Thomas I think, said that before).

 

I am so blessed to know many, many givers!  I definitely am acquainted with more givers than takers.  How wonderful, huh?

 

In the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Paul tells us to "remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

 

I would add that being givers is certainly wonderful, but there are times when we have to let others give to us.  It is certainly not a bad thing to graciously accept a gift.

Be happy

Remember that Bobby McFerrin song from about 38 years ago called "Don't Worry, Be Happy"? 38 years! Oh my! That really makes me feel old. Anyway, it is a nice uplifting tune with a beautiful message about being happy. In fact it was happy enough to become the very first a cappella song to ever reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a position it held for a couple of weeks. This morning, I woke up thinking about it.

Being happy, to me, is one of the most important things in life. It is so important in fact that the founders of the United States, listed the pursuit of happiness as one of three "unalienable rights." It's something we can easily share too. Want to make someone's day? Smile. Have a positive upbeat mood. Make them feel worthwhile. Even if someone is depressed and feeling blue, it's possible to cheer them up and make them happy.

Not having the greatest day? Yeah, I know there is huge injustice and racial inequality and so many other negative things happening these days. Does thinking about those negative make things better though? Nope. Usually that make it worse! Going back to Bobby McFerrin's song, "In every life we have some trouble, But when you worry you make it double - Don't worry, be happy."

We can be the change we want to see in the world. We can spread the love and the kindness. Happiness is pretty wonderful! Be happy and share your happiness. Make Bobby McFerrin proud.

when someone needs you

This has been a tough week for me and the week ahead will be even tougher. I could easily tell you why, but this blog is NOT about me. It really is about all of us and how we can all make a difference. So, in that spirit, I'd like to share one of those anonymous stories that has been floating around the internet. The story is not about anyone I know, and I don't even know the author. I do know the point of the story though. The next time someone needs you, just be there. Read on -

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. “Your son is here,” she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened.

Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man’s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man’s hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused.

Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.

Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her, “Who was that man?” he asked.

The nurse was startled, “He was your father,” she answered.

“No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied. “I never saw him before in my life.”

“Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”

“I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed. I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His Son was killed in Iraq today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this Gentleman’s Name?“

The nurse with tears in her eyes answered, “Mr. William Grey."

more ways to brighten the day

Remember those lists we have begun here before?  Well let's see what else we can add to make a difference in the lives of others. In no particular order, here are a number of additional ideas. 

 

Give another driver your parking spot.  Give your full attention to someone in need and simply listen.  Stop by a nursing home, and visit someone who has no family nearby.  Have a clean-up party in the park.  Bring coworkers a special treat.  Buy cold drinks for the people next to you at a ball game.  Spend some time serving food at a meal program for the needy.  Volunteer to be a tutor in a school.  Remember the bereaved with phone calls, cards, plants, and food.

 

Volunteer to read to kids in the library.  Donate time at a senior center.  Give a pair of tickets to a concert or baseball game to a stranger.  Send a gift anonymously to a friend.  Transport someone who can’t drive.  Make telephone calls in support of equality urging others to put aside hate.  Send a treat to a school or day-care center.  Volunteer at an organization that needs help.  Go through your closets and find several nice items and then donate them to a shelter.  Buy books for a day care or school.  Give toys to the children at a shelter.  Volunteer to fix up an elderly couple’s home.

Invite someone new for dinner, either in your home or in a restaurant. Say nice things randomly to facebook and twitter friends.  Buy some bottles of water and randomly hand them out to strangers on the street.  Drop off a plant or a plate of cookies to your nearby police or fire station.  Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings.  Buy a stranger a free pizza.  Mow a neighbor’s grass or sweep a neighbor’s walk.  Offer to return a shopping cart to the store for someone loading a car.

Pay for the person behind you in the movie line.  Tell your parents/children why you love them.  Make a point of finding the name of a supermarket or drugstore employee and then praise him/her through that company’s corporate office.  When drivers try to merge into your lane, let them in with a wave and a smile.  Tell your boss that you think he/she does a good job.  Give blood.  Treat someone to fresh fruit.  Sing at a nursing home. 

 

Let's let this list keep on growing!

 

family

I don't understand the fighting that too often goes on within families and I certainly don't understand people walking out or disowning. Family (to me) is forever. It's not like some kind of club you resign from.

Is family important in times of crisis or distress?  Of course!  These days we need our families more than ever.  Show the love.  Never turn your back.

How can a parent turn their back on a child?  How can a kid walk out on mom or dad?  How do sisters and brothers stop speaking to each other?  Family (to me) is about love. With love there is no fighting or walking out - or kicking out. With love there is respect and there is discussion and there is understanding and hope. Family is the foundation for all that we are.

I remember an interview with Angelina Jolie from several years ago in which the actress said it best: "Family is what grounds you."  Indeed.

Forgive and forget

Forgive and forget? The late Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa had a few things to say about that.

“Forgiving and being reconciled to our enemies or our loved ones are not about pretending that things are other than they are. It is not about patting one another on the back and turning a blind eye to the wrong. True reconciliation exposes the awfulness, the abuse, the hurt, the truth. It could even sometimes make things worse. It is a risky undertaking but in the end it is worthwhile, because in the end only an honest confrontation with reality can bring real healing. Superficial reconciliation can bring only superficial healing.”

The archbishop further said “Forgiving is not forgetting; its actually remembering - remembering and not using your right to hit back. Its a second chance for a new beginning. And the remembering part is particularly important. Especially if you don't want to repeat what happened.”

Just a perfect blendship

Some silly relaxation before going to bed last night - I watched an episode of that old series The Golden Girls.  As you may recall, the theme song is Thank You For Being A Friend.  I'm sure I was singing along in my head.

I woke up this morning to the sound of Dionne Warwick singing That's What Friends Are For on the radio.  Shortly after that I accidently clicked a YouTube link and went to an old clip of Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance singing about friendship.  There must be a theme here! 

What a wonderful thing friendship is.  It can actually make you sing!  I started to sing along with Lucy and Ethel.

"It's friendship, friendship,

Just a perfect blendship,

When other friendships have been forgot

Ours will still be hot!

Lahdle-ahdle-ahdle-dig-dig-dig."

The wonderful Dutch priest Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen had some good thoughts on the subject:

"Friendship is one of the greatest gifts a human being can receive. It is a bond beyond common goals, common interests, or common histories. It is a bond stronger than sexual union can create, deeper than a shared fate can solidify, and even more intimate than the bonds of marriage or community. Friendship is being with the other in joy and sorrow, even when we cannot increase the joy or decrease the sorrow. It is a unity of souls that gives nobility and sincerity to love. Friendship makes all of life shine brightly. Blessed are those who lay down their lives for their friends."

Our Moms

My mom was the best mother in the world! (I'm sure many of you have wonderful thoughts too about your own mom). I don't remember many Mother's Days though. Oh there were happy times galore (like when I, at the age of twelve, baked Mom a birthday cake with so much food coloring in it that it didn't cook all the way through, or the time the bartender at my sister's wedding gave Mom WAY too much alcohol, or riding the carousel at Pier 39 with Mom, or the great joy she had with her new kitty), just not a lot of celebrations on Mother's Day.

How wonderful that there is a day set aside to honor our mothers! It's a shame that we don't always take advantage of it. Of course, I am of the opinion that we should honor our mothers every single day of the year, not only on the second Sunday in May. I'm reminded of an old Captain Kangaroo song, 'It's Another Be Good To Mommy Day."

For weeks now I have seen advertising for gifts, keepsakes, flowers, special brunch (or other meals), cards, flowers, and just about anything to honor our mothers. Too commercial? Well according to Wikipedia, "Americans spend approximately $2.6 billion on flowers, $1.53 billion on pampering gifts—like spa treatments—and another $68 million on greeting cards." Wow! Now I'm not saying our mothers aren't worth it, but I think gifts from the heart have more meaning. Treat Mom to breakfast in bed. Give her a handmade card. Offer more help around the house. Show her you love her.

Today might be a difficult day for those whose mother has passed away but honor her with your memories of her and let the world see her goodness when they see the good person you have become.  Whether you mother is alive or not, think of her today, and be grateful.  

last request

Do you ever read the obituaries in the newspaper? Sometimes they can be humorous and sometimes they simply gave details of someone's life. Lately though I have come across several that are very inspiring, not just because of the life that had been led, but because of a last request.  There was a wonderful obituary a newspaper last week that brought me to tears.  A brother wrote some very touching words about his sister who had lived with cerebral palsy.  "I wish I could have made you laugh one more time," he wrote.

Frequently in obituaries there will be an "in lieu of flowers" statement, that directs folks to a charity that is significant to the deceased.  I also have seen some very nice "last requests."  In telling of one man who had recently passed away, the obituary said that one of his last wishes was for any person reading the obituary to perform a good deed in his honor for someone that they may have had friction with or disliked. Wow! Someone wanted to continue the love even after they were gone. How wonderful. How many people did a good deed in his honor? There is of course no way to know, but what a wonderful idea!

Maybe this will inspire folks reading this to make other last requests. What would you want your legacy to be? How would you like to be an inspiration to strangers, even after you are gone?  Of course, estate planning is another way to help those who come after you while also keeping your name alive.

Leo XIV

There is a new pope, as you probably know already, elected yesterday on the fourth ballot of the conclave, Leo XIV is the 267th pontiff and he comes from the United States. The new head of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State is 69 years old.

There is extensive information coming out about the Holy Father, so need for me to write a biography here. Anyone can easily check the constant news accounts and his Wikipedia entry.

In addition to speaking English, he also speaks Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese along with some German. The new Pope can also read Latin. It seems like we will have an easy time understanding him.

His inauguration Mass will be held on May 18 in Saint Peter's Square. We will see him a lot before than as he performs numerous official duties. We will also be paying attention to his personal views on Church policy and on social and political issues.

Pope Leo is the first pope in my lifetime to be younger than me. He appears to be in very good health and be a long-serving Pope.  My hope is that he brings a lot of good and that I can comfortably write about him often.

Read any good books lately?

Have you read any good books lately? Seriously. That might sound like an odd question here, but books can be powerful tools! It might be a book you read that will inspire you to change the world. If you don't read much, you should try it. You will find amazing things!

I book can bring you a lot of information too. If you love cooking or building or designing or any number of hobbies, books can be of great help. They can show you how to do things and even give you ideas of things you might never have thought of.

How about a nice adventure story or trashy romance novel or a suspenseful murder mystery? The fiction on your bookshelves can transport you to just about anywhere. Want to learn a new hobby or explore history? There are all kinds of non-fiction options. Having a tense day? Perhaps a book of poetry can help soothe things. How about a volume of jokes and riddles? Maybe what you need is just a nice coffee table book filled with great photographs.

If your home is without much of a literary selection, surely there is a library not too far away. If you're lucky, there might even be a nice little bookstore with selections that not only might bring you joy, some titles you might bring home for others too. After all, the joy of books is good to share. Books make good presents too!

The innocence of children

I remember writing here a few years ago about the innocence of children saying that babies don't hate you because of your skin color or your sexual orientation or you height or weight or gender or religion or for any reason at all. Think about it. We are born without all of that negative stuff attached. Children don't know how to hate. Why can't we keep it that way?

Who is teaching our children the bad thoughts and the bad words and the bad actions? The answer of course is that we are. We are teaching discrimination. We are teaching hate. We are taking away the innocence of our children.  Oh most are not doing it on purpose - I'm not saying that, but that doesn't make it any better.  Children look to their parents, teachers, pastors, doctors, and babysitters for a map of how to act.  They follow our lead.  If we discriminate - if we hate others, they very easily copy our actions.

If you have ever heard a small child using foul language, you have an idea of what I am talking about.  If it stopped at language, we might not think it bad, but kids are learning more and more bad behaviors from the very folks who should be teaching them good.  Let's be positive with our children.  Let's teach them about love, instead of the opposite.  Babies come into the world without any idea of hate. Let's not give it to them!

kindness is not weakness

Today's message is a very simple one. In life sometimes the most simple messages are the most profound.   I don't know who wrote these words, but I believe them and wanted to share them with you.

"Only a fool mistakes kindness for weakness. There is the heart of a lion within the spirit of a lamb. Grace is selfless strength."

Indeed, kindness is not weakness. A message you might wish to share with others, especially during these difficult times.  Oh, how I wish we lived in kinder world, but of course we have the power to make it that way!  

Many of you already know that I write another blog, all about kindness.  If you click HERE, you can check it out!

Save an animal

If you knew that this cute dog needed your help, wouldn't you want to be there for him?  Dogs, cats, and other animals need human companions and if you are there for them, it will make such a huge difference to them, and to YOU!

If you are thinking of adopting an animal - think some more.  Be sure, before you take on this huge responsibility.  The animal deserves a loving home where the people are totally committed to their animal charges.  If you decide this what you really want to do, consider adopting a shelter animal.

Sometimes even those of us with the best intentions become overwhelmed with work and school and all that we are involved with, and we neglect our animals.  That's why I suggest that you think twice.  Good care is like setting a good example about humane treatment - nothing else should even be acceptable. Responsible animal ownership requires that we give animals what they need to be healthy and happy.

Do not hold back on tje love and affection. If you’ve ever brought abused or neglected animals home and treated them like a member of the family, you’ve probably seen a rewarding transformation in behavior and disposition.  As you treat them with kindness and consistency, they learn to trust you and respond with loyalty and with unending love.

We each have it in our power to make a difference in the lives of animals.  Adoption is not the only way.  We also need to be aware of abandonment, neglect, and abuse and stand up for these animals that cannot stand up for themselves.  If you see abuse - do something!  Please remember that animal cruelty is more than just wrong - it’s a crime! It not only affects the animals involved, but can endanger the health and safety of the those in the community.

Don’t have the space or or the time for your own animal? Visit one. Go and visit the pets of friends or neighbors or make a trip to a local dog park or shelter.  Volunteering at a local shelter can be very rewarding too!

Be The Good

It's a gorgeous Sunday morning (at least where I live) - the start of another great week, and I am energized!  While it is so often said that things aren't as good as they used to be, I say "Why not?"  We can have good if we truly want to have good.  We have to believe!  

 

I remember someone I used to go to school with who always said "If you don't like the world we live in, make it a better world."  Indeed.  I don't want this to sound like some kind of fairy tale story, but it really is true.  

We each can do good things - every single one of us.  Believe.  We each can change the bad that we see and make things better.  Believe it!  We each, even if only in a small way, can contribute to our world and make these days good, instead of those days.

 

Do you believe in yourself?  Do you believe in your family and in your friends?  Believe there's good in our world.  Be the good in our world!

the ripples of our lives

Did you ever stand on the banks of a pond or lake at throw pebbles into the water?  What happened?  Ripples, right?  Every time you hit the surface, this ripple effect occurs, but it doesn't only happen in the water - WE can cause ripples every day, and that's a wonderful thing!

 

When information is shared from person to person, its impact becomes greater.  This ripple effect can go on and on, just like in the water, with each circle getting larger.  If each person continues to share, there is no telling how big this ripple effect can be.

 

I really love this idea!  Within social interactions, these ripples can be seen with situations not directly related to the initial interaction.  What one person does can affect another person, even if the two have never met.

 

Do something good for someone and watch them in turn do something good for someone else.  If everyone continues to pass it on, imagine those ripples as they continue to grow.  The ripples of our lives are among the joys of our lives!

Give something back

Giving something back is not just one simple formula. There are so many ways of giving back and they all make a difference in this world of ours.

Pay a compliment at least once a day or go even further and say something nice to everyone you meet today. It doesn't even cost you a penny. Volunteer to read to kids in the library - that doesn't cost anything either, and oh what a reward you will get! Donate time at a senior center, at a playground, at a hospital, or an animal shelter.  Give time to your church or a community center or help a neighbor.  There are so many possibilities.

Of course giving of material gifts including money is very helpful too.  Some folks are able to do this more often than others.  Give up that morning cup of coffee and use that money to donate to a cause.  You see, it doesn't have to be difficult.  Everyone though can give of themselves, even if it is only occasionally.

Try it!  You will immediately be glad you did.

What are you wearing?

Do people ever begin a conversation with you because of your clothing? Yesterday I was wearing a t-shirt from one of my favorite organizations, Go Inspire Go. I've written here about them before, but I never tire of telling about them because they pretty much do what I do - encourage folks to make a difference. Their founder Toan Lam (pictured here wearing a shirt like the one I had on yesterday), inspires me every single day with his posts on the Go Inspire Go website and on social media.

Every year I participate in various fundraising events and generally there are special shirts or jackets, which I enjoy wearing because it gives attention to the event, and it gives me a great opportunity to billboard the organization. I have a Light the Night jacket from several years ago that I always wear around the time of that event each year and when I am out trying to raise sponsors. I suppose we all do the same thing to some degree when we wear shirts from our schools or favorite teams.

I love telling people about some of my favorite charities though and it was great yesterday when a total stranger pointed to my shirt and said "What's gig"? After a few minutes of talking about Go Inspire Go, I suggested he watch some of their videos and I directed him to http://goinspirego.com/ - you should check it out too, if you don't already know about them.