Heroes

Last night I watched the CNN special/awards show on Heroes. While I had not heard of all the heroes profiled there were a couple that I had read about at other times and was happy to see them receive some recognition for their work. We, as a society, rarely give praise or awards to those who really deserve it. Regular people who do extraordinary things. We have numerous awards for actors, and singers but this is the first time, that I have seen anyways, that a show on everyday heroes has been broadcast on a major television network. It makes you think about what it is we really value.

My first holiday act of kindness is to write a letter to my everyday hero. I want to let them know how big a difference they have made in my life because they need to be recognized. They may not have all the paparazzi following them around, or be on the front page of a magazine, but they certainly deserve all the praise in the world. While I will not share with you this letter because I am not sure they would want me to, I will say this:

A long time ago they gave me a book to read for class. They took the time to get to know me, even though I didn't know who I was, and they recommended a book they thought that I would enjoy based on who they saw within me. The book changed my life. Not directly, or immediately, but the seed was planted then. I left for university later that year and that experience stuck with me. I found myself because this person took the time to pay attention. It was insignificant at the time because I am sure, knowing their character, that they did this with everyone they met. Sometimes, like was the case with me though, that insignificant act turned out to be a very significant turning point in my life. I am who I am because of many factors but the journey and path I found in life was based on a kind persons taking time to care. They are my everyday hero, deservedly so.

I don't want to tell anyone what to do, or to take the time to do this. However, I want you to think about what it would be like if someone told you that you were their everyday hero and why. Would that be a big pick-me-up? put a smile on your face? We need to tell the people in our lives how much they mean to us. We need to recognize the good and real instead of fawning over people who star in movies or sell millions of records. The people in the world who need our praise are too often the people we overlook. Take the time this holiday season to make notice.

A Role Model For Us All

Age means nothing. I was reminded of this today when I came across this truly remarkable young girl, Laura, who has started a spirited project by the name '25 Days to Make a Difference Campaign'. She is a role model to us all at a very ripe young age. She is doing small deeds over the course of 25 days that will make a small but meaningful difference in the lives of some. More importantly though, the project is a pass it on project that will involves many other individuals that will affect even more lives.

While I had planned to do a few activities over my holiday break to do my part this holiday season, in light of Laura's project I am going to make it my 12 acts of holiday kindness. Over the course of the next 3 weeks I am going to do 12 things that will hopefully make someones holidays a bit easier and a bit more jolly. I encourage everyone else to follow Laura's lead and attempt to do a few small things this holiday season. While you are at it email Laura with your acts and let her know that what she is doing is truly making a difference.

If you are wondering what you could possibly do and coming up blank, I encourage you to check out Laura's list of activities for inspiration. You can also feel free to post ideas to this blog and give me some ideas on what my 12 acts should be.

Remember, the holidays while extremely enjoyable for some can be extremely difficult for others. It is the season for helping our neighbors, our family, even complete strangers.

width=192 height=96 border=0 alt="25 Days to Make a Difference
- Click here for details">

Holiday Party Ideas

A quick thought. As we get into the holiday party season many of us will be thinking of host gifts. Why not make a donation to a charity in their name? Not going to work? How about buying a bottle of wine where a portion of the proceeds go to a charity (ask your local wine retailer if they carry any). Hallmark has a new line of product(red) items that will let you package whatever you do buy and make it 'Good'. Christmas cards? Hallmark has them covered. Challenge yourself to find something that not only will people want to receive as a gift but that will provide a greater good in the process. Most importantly though, remember it is the THOUGHT that counts!

I Have a Dream

I have always loved the words Martin Luther King used in his historical speech "I Have a Dream". His grasp and use of the English language is absolutely remarkable. The passion and conviction with which he expresses his ideas is awe inspiring. While M.L.K was speaking about equality of race, his words ring true for just about anything. You could replace race with any other problem of equality, wealth, geography, etc. and his words would be no less true. I share with him that dream. A world in which we can all live together, holding hands together, and love together. I have my own dream but I share it with everyone who believes we can achieve this world. Let us DREAM together.

More Change

I have been doing a lot of research about change lately. How can I create change. On a small scale, on a large scale, on any scale. I came across some great websites and ideas and I want to share them with you guys.

Michael Norton has a great blog called 365 Ways, which is a take on the book he wrote called 365 Ways to Change the World, an activity for each day of the year. He provides some great information and case studies, books, and ideas to inspire people to make a difference. Kind of like my blog only he has been at it much longer and is a little better at it :).

A book that I came across entitled 'How To Change The World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas' by David Bornstein, which also seems to have a lot of interesting stories. I have added this to my Christmas reading list (as if it isn't so long that I will be reading for the next 50 Christmas). Give it a look and if anyone has actually read it I would love a synopsis.

Another great blogger, Desiree, has created a blog by the name of 'Lets Change the World'. This blog is more of an inspiration and she has packed a lot into her blog that I haven't even begun to comb through.

For those of you who know the band Five for Fighting you may or may not have come across an initiative they created called 'What Kind of World Do You Want'. You can post a video about your idea of a perfect world for others to see and a donation will be made to a charity depending on which videos you view. Check it out to see some interesting ideas on a better, or at least different, world.

Last, but certainly not least, is a truly awesome idea, and one I wish I could say I came up with. A new website called Change.org is a social website, sort of like Facebook, only for people who are interested in charity, development, and creating change. Members have the ability to make donations to organizations of their choice, and meet others who are interested in similar organizations or ideas. It is a great idea and one I am more than positive will grown into something special.

If anyone has other resources that they want to share I would love to hear about them. I have a hankering for some CHANGE and the only cure is more information.

World AIDS Day

Tomorrow happens to be World AIDS Day. A day of awareness on the health emergency that threatens to take the lives of millions around the world. It is interesting that the day receives so very little attention. Over at the ONE campaign they recently posted on their blog the up-to-date figures on the AIDS pandemic. According to the statistics 33.2 million people are living with HIV/AIDS globally; 2.5 million new infections occurred in 2007; and 2.1 million people died, or 5 700 people per day from HIV/AIDS in 2007. The sheer scale of these figures is enough to make a grown man cry.

I have now wrote a couple of posts on AIDS and a couple of books I have found that really create some perspective on this problem. In our increasingly interdependent state on one another it is entirely surprising that we don't have more dialogue and conversation going. Where are the news stories? Where are the public service announcements? It needs to be talked about, it needs to be HEARD. Our silence only increases the stigma placed upon the disease.

Just this past week an article in the Toronto Star broke the news that the Canadian government was diverting funds from community AIDS programs to help boost its AIDS medication program announced earlier in the year in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. How about they just increase funding altogether instead of shuffling it around? Of all the surplus that has been announced why can't we afford to spend a little extra on AIDS programs? As one of the G8, or wealthiest nations in the world, it is our responsibility to take this emergency seriously!

While it isn't all bad, and we have certainly made strides over the last few years, we have to realize this isn't going away. The current campaign circuit for the Democratic nominations down in the U.S. has yet to address where the candidates stand on AIDS research, poverty reduction, global debt relief. This requires a grassroots conversation. It requires that we force it onto the agenda. We need more than a few celebrities to take notice and create groundswell action. It requires that you and I participate. It starts with a few and the few bring with them many. Instead of waiting to join the fray how about we start the fray? Ask your teacher if you can start the conversation in your class, bring it up at the water cooler at work, send an email to your friends and family, not to ask for money but to ask for comments, to ask for actions.

We have the snowball rolling, but it needs to pick up speed. Give it a push.

Passion's Purpose

Here is another great post by Brad Williamson over at Small Business Branding. Check it out here.

Passion’s Purpose

Listen to the Soul, let it guide you towards the highest vision you have for yourself, and live a Life you can Love. You know who you are and who you want to be, so let your spirit be shown through the progress of your purpose. This energy that drives your dream’s desires, to turn being-ness into experience, is called passion.

The Soul presents you with its purpose through feelings of passion. It is an energy that drives you to push aside that which does not reflect your being, in favor of pursuits that mirror your inner-motivations. The experience of passion is so profound that you Lovingly cry years of dedication into crafts that represent who you are; and when your creations consume you, know that the Soul is living its dream.

The pulse of passion feels like pure Peace. Pure Peace that provides unconditional comfort without corruption, because conflict cannot possibly cross the Love of your Life. Every breath is beautiful as your spirit shouts the energy of affectionate addiction. …Your Love is alive.

Passion has no expectations. Its desires are fulfilled with or without awards or accomplishment, and simply strives for the Soul to see them survive. Passion must be given creative freedom if it wants to truly experience itself; and the distractions expectations inflict can restrict the liberty that is needed to transform dreams into Life.

Passion is purpose; and without passion, Life has no purpose. Thanks to Love, your passions are made obvious to you in every moment. All you must do to find your guiding light is hear the sincere shouts of the Soul that serve to remind you of who you are. Every moment reveals reasons to pursue the progress of passion, so never push away its promises.

Your passion can fashion a Life of Love; so embrace your motivations, both modest and magnificent. Present every moment with your purpose and prepare to be amazed by the presents you persuade Life to shower upon you.