the way to feel good is to do good

It's been awhile since I wrote here about one of the nicest guys in the world, Jon Bon Jovi, and after seeing him on television, I simply had to update what I have previously written.  (The picture by the way, is from CBS news which did a report on him during their Sunday Morning program). 

I could tell you the story of his very special restaurants, but many of you probably saw the report.  I hope it leads you to get involved though.  Check out their website at https://www.jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org/ and see how you can help.

It's not just what Bon Jovi is doing that inspires me.  I also paid close attention to what he said during the tv interview and was greatly encouraged by the words describing his work in his Soul Kitchens.  "It can obviously never compare to performing or writing songs," he said. "But what it does do is it gives you the same sense of fulfillment, I think, when I leave here at night and you see the lives you touch.  I have left here, you know, after a long night of volunteering and said, 'That makes you feel the same kind of good.' You know? And that's what I say, the way to feel good is to do good, you know?

"Find your good – and do it."  Excellent advice for us all!

How to get to Sesame Street

Everybody sing!  (You know you want to).

Sunny days
Sweeping the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get
How to get to sesame street
Come and play
Everything's a-okay
Family neighbors friends
That's where we meet
Can you tell me how to get
How to get to sesame street How to get to sesame street
How to get to sesame street
How to get to sesame street

Even if you can't remember the words or the tune, you know the song.  Most of us have grown up with it.  Our kids have too.  It's the theme song of course from Sesame Street, the long-running children's tv show that turns 50 today.

Fifty?  Is that possible?  Yup.  The program began even before PBS, its home for most of its run.  That first year they were on NET (National Educational Television).  Some more numbers - 4,500 episodes have been produced.  There have also been 35 TV specials, 200 home videos, and 180 albums.  Oh and they even have a very popular YouTube channel.  These days they are also on HBO.

 

Is there anyone out there who has never watched this great show?  It doesn't just keep kids occupied, it help them learn.  What a difference it has made over the years in the lives of so many.  May it continue forever!

Stay Positive

Who thinks there is too much negativity in the world?  (Can I see a show of hands)?  Yes, I know how difficult it can be to stay positive when you are surrounded by negative energy, but there are things you can do.

The latest argument between Joy and Meghan getting you down?  Turn off The View!  Good honest discussion is always a good thing, but constant bickering is another matter.

Do you have a Debbie Downer at work or school or on social media?  Show that person the high road and the benefits of being positive.  If it doesn't work, don't let them drag you down.  Move away from them and toward those brighter lights.

Don't sweat the small stuff.  A very wise person once said this to me and it is so true.  Some things seem very important at the moment, but step back and have proper perspective.  Maybe your current situation isn't that important after all.

 

Stay healthy.  Positive people are generally healthy people, or those who are trying to be healthy.  Yes, colds and illness may show up, and sadly major medical conditions may arise.  Work through the situation though and attempt to have a healthy body.  Diet and exercise play a big role here.

 

Don't worry if you are not always happy too.  It's okay to be sad about certain things.  We all might have those bad moments.  You can still be positive though even in the face of sadness or sorrow.  Set some goals too.  Knowing what you are looking for in the future is a very positive attitude.

Free hugs!

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I saw someone at a parade this summer, with a sign that read "free hugs."  People smiled when they saw it.  When people post in social media that they are having a bad day, it isn't long before the virtual hugs begin showing up.  Hugs make you feel good and even just the idea of a hug is rather pleasant. 

Do you realize that hugs cost nothing?  They are not taxable.  They don't require batteries.  They are returnable.  They make you feel good.  They are extremely personal. They reduce stress and generate goodwill.  Hugs are non-polluting.  A really is an excellent gift!  Actually they are fun to give and to receive!

Oh and as nice as it may be to receive or give a hug, research shows that there are actually medical benefits.  Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels and serotonin levels, healing any feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger while elevating our mood and creating happiness. 

What's to not like about a hug?

Grassroots campaigns work

Do you like what is going on in Washington, DC these days? Are you happy with the workings in your own state or local governments? How many of you can name your mayor or your representatives in Congress? When things are going like the people want them to, and when justice and equality fly out the window, it's time to get involved!

 

I actually think it is ALWAYS good to be involved. An example: where I live there are a couple of county officials that have recently made some outrageous statements. One was very racist, the other anti-gay. Some folks did turn out to protest, but only a few. We ALL need to keep up with these things. it matters. Turn on the evening tv news or pick up the morning newspaper. Stay aware, and then get involved.

 

It's amazing what a simple grassroots campaign can do. Seriously. The folks who say "You can't fight City Hall" are wrong. You can write letters, send emails, make phone calls and you can make a difference. To begin though, you need to know what you are doing. Inform yourself. A good way to find out about government bodies, is to look at their websites. Head on down to your local city hall and see the city council in action. Know about it, and then do something.

let's talk about leukemia

Some of you might think I am always talking about some kind of fundraiser, and it's true that I do that a lot.   Today:  leukemia.  Six years ago my mother died, and while leukemia was not her direct cause of death, she had been living with it for years and it did lead to a weakened system.  Because of Mom's leukemia, I became more aware of the disease when she was first diagnosed and annually participate in various events including the Light the Night Walk.
 

For those of you who don't know, leukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow, the soft tissue in the center of the bones, where blood cells are produced. White blood cells (leukocytes) are used by the body to fight off infections and other foreign substances and a person with leukemia may have a weakened immune system and be unable to fight off a simple infection.  There are different types of leukemia and I couldn't give all of the answers here in this little space.  Actually nobody has all the answers.  That is why awareness is so important.

 

Seven years ago I participated in Light the Night Walk for the first time, and I've already signed up to do it again this year.  Leukemia is a treatable (bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone treatments) disease and the rate of cure depends on the type of leukemia as well as the patient's age. Participation in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk funds therapies and treatment advances which help to save lives.  Yes, I know this blog is supposed to be NOT about me, but I am really passionate about this. 

The San Francisco walk is in November and you can come out and walk or you can sponsor me or another walker or simply make a general donation.  You can also look for walks that may be closer to where you live.  Go to http://www.lightthenight.org/ to find out more!

Unforgettable

Yesterday marked eighteen years since the horrible terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and I saw so many people share their memories of what they were doing that day.  The memories are carved like stone and will never be forgotten.

If you were alive the day Pearl Harbor was bombed or the day John Kennedy was shot or when the space shuttle Challenger exploded, you probably can recall the activities of those days too.  There are times in our lives that are simply unforgettable.

I was thinking about that last night and it occurred to me that the moments that stick out or (to crib from Franklin D. Roosevelt), these days that live in infamy, are most always tragedies.  Yes, there is good reason to recall these dark moments, but with so many happy uplifting things happening in our lives, I'd much rather be remembering them.  It is true that most people can remember their wedding day or perhaps graduation or first day at a new job, but there have to be many more unforgettable moments.

 

Perhaps we can be trendsetters and begin sharing positive uplifting moments.  There are historical events that certainly would qualify, not just times in our personal lives.  What do you say?  Are you with me?  Think of a historical moment that you consider to be both positive and uplifting, as well as unforgettable, and share it with us in the comments below.