I promise to not keep stealing topics from what I hear at church but I did want to expand on something that was discussed. When you look at the media, it seems as though the world is just getting worse and worse by the day. It drives me crazy that tragedy, crime, and sensationalism is what really sells on TV. I always wish that for once, the news would report on all good stories - but the truth is, the ratings would probably go down and the networks would not want that happening! The media has such influence on our thoughts that we tend to believe that things are hopeless and that the bad outweighs the good - but I refuse to believe that. Yes, certain events and situations do require our attention in order to bring about change - but we should not allow our perspective of the world to be determined by the bad that is going on.
I love hearing stories of hope, stories of survival, stories of those who use their own lives to change others. These are the real stories that truly make a positive difference in the world. I googled a few inspiring stories and wanted to post them today to remind us of the good that really is going on in the world.
"Giver Girl" and her husband "Giver Boy" came up with a simple yet powerful idea: donating $52 to a different charity every week for a year. After each experience, they post their moving reflections, invite others to join in, and maintain total anonymity. The brilliance of their project is captured in a week when they spontaneously decide to make that week's gift a $52 tip to a waitress serving them. After leaving the tip, they decided to 'run away without watching (their) waitress's expression.' "That's it right there. That's generosity. Giving in a sacrificial way with the intent of blessing others while seeking nothing in return -- not even recognition, gratitude, or praise. And this lesson is the biggest gift that Giver Boy and Giver Girl have sent out." I love this idea! It fits right in line with the Pay It Forward idea and I know that this couple is making such an impact on lives - even more than they realize!
A few folks in New York City wondered what it's like to be homeless. So they gave four men cell phones and Twitter accounts to help them share their stories with the world. For Daniel Morales, these gifts would change his life. Three weeks into the project, Morales used the social networking tool to find his 27-year-old daughter, whom he hadn't seen in over a decade. After posting his cell phone number and a photo of her when she was 16, a stranger saw the message and the next day, Morales got the call he'd been waiting for. "Just to find my dad after 11 years...I don't even know how to feel right now, I'm just very, very happy." What I love about the story is this - had these people not followed through with their idea, Daniel Morales may have never found his daughter. Not only did they come up with a creative idea, they followed through with it and made a lasting difference in someone's life!
Every week they provide food for as many as 1,500 households in Marin County (CA). They don’t charge for the food. Nor do they get paid themselves. Who are these people and why do they do this? They are two community elders, Ruth Schwartz and her husband Curt Kinkead, supported by a team of about 100 volunteers. They do it because Curt “gets fed by the joy he sees in the people who come to collect the food he delivers.” Ruth adds, “If we [Ruth and Curt] do something together where we face out into the world and make a contribution, that is a key piece of having our relationship thrive.”
Respecting Our Elders started in 2005 when Curt and Ruth, residents of a subsidized housing development, noticed that some of their neighbors weren’t getting enough to eat. The couple decided to do something about that. One thing led to another and in no time a thriving organization spun into existence that picks up and delivers food seven days a week, several times a day. This generous couple is not doing this for money but for the joy that comes from giving! Love it!
These are just three stories that I found that not only inspired me, but also challenged me. I am not doing near enough to make a difference and need to proactively look for ways to make more of an impact on the world! Yes, there are bad things going on in the world, but think about all the good that is actually going on. The statement I loved from this past Sunday was this - When did a pessimistic attitude every bring about change in the world? When did someone who constantly complains about his or her situation ever see good come out of it? I encourage all of us to be a part of the change, not a part of the problem. Use your life to make your mark on the world - you never know how it will impact others!
Today I am grateful for: 1. Waking up and making a conscious decision that today will be a good day 2. Having a good time at work 3. Seeing some trick or treaters visit my workplace and seeing the smiles on their faces 4. Reading stories of hope and inspiration 5. Enjoying a great conversation with a friend
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