Did anyone catch 20/20 last night? It was kind of fun because several of the segments were topics that we have been discussing for a while now. For instance, one of the segments was about a car manufacturing shop that has been successfully turned into a wind turbine manufacturer that is employing 40 people and growing! These turbines are for individual homes to generate clean electricity. We discussed that in my post on Michael Moore. One of the other segments depicted a young family who have realized that downsizing has actually improved their family life. Many of you have written blogs on that topic.
Then they did one on Iceland's descent into madness and banking. They now have women on their banking boards, and legislative processes. I have to admit that it seemed as though they may have used the same sources as I did in writing that segment. But the beauty of it was when I wrote the post, women were not yet installed on said boards.
The one that touched me the most was of the woman who had gone to an auction house with her son to buy him a house. She met a sobbing woman who was there to see her home auctioned. Something came over the woman and she bought the house back for the woman! The lady was not wealthy, and she had no idea what came over her. But she bought the house for the woman and only asked her to pay what she could! This one act of kindness has blossomed into a foundation that buys the homes of people who are being evicted and can only pay so much.
All of this reminded me of a blog post yesterday by Elizabeth Bradley, wherein we are so bombarded with awful things going on in the world that we just have to pick one, and do our part. It's exciting to see people's ideas actually manifesting. What it means is that we have the talents and the vision to solve our own problems. You have ideas that you may be just mulling over, and have not yet acted on, that could solve one or more of your own, or someone else's. We all do. It's a matter of thinking things through, drawing on our faith, whatever it may be, using trial and error, and never giving up. I think that's the key, really. Never giving up.
Do you have something that you have been working on in your mind? Some plan, that hasn't yet taken flight, that could solve a problem?
All of this reminded me of a blog post yesterday by Elizabeth Bradley, wherein we are so bombarded with awful things going on in the world that we just have to pick one, and do our part. It's exciting to see people's ideas actually manifesting. What it means is that we have the talents and the vision to solve our own problems. You have ideas that you may be just mulling over, and have not yet acted on, that could solve one or more of your own, or someone else's. We all do. It's a matter of thinking things through, drawing on our faith, whatever it may be, using trial and error, and never giving up. I think that's the key, really. Never giving up.
Do you have something that you have been working on in your mind? Some plan, that hasn't yet taken flight, that could solve a problem?
29 comments:
I have a problem with the 'pick one' concept. I know that's the best way to conquer something, but I'm not good at eliminating others.
Sounds like I missed a good program. I was having fun with the grands...
I have been mulling over what to do with all the food that is prepared during a cooking lesson.
Of course students "taste" and sample but it is rare that everything is consumed especially when preparing soups, stews, breads, etc.
From now on, instead of freezing and sending some home with students, I am going to have students package it into 2 serving size portions and drop it off at our local food pantry.
Healthy, fresh, perfectly prepared, nutritious food. My way of paying it forward.
Mzz - I think instead of doing nothing, or just becoming overwhelmed with the choices, picking one is good. If you can do more that that is terrific!
Good Cook - What a wonderful idea! Do a post about that!
Just follow an impulse and maybe hit on something important? That small still voice inside my head that says, hey, you can help just that one person and make a difference. From that it could balloon.
This is inspiring some thought - I'll be on the lookout. Oten opportunities come up via my religious community that I let pass by from busyness. Doing things in ommunity can make us stronger.
Kathy - "just follow an impulse" - oh yeah, I think you said it well.
Mary Ellen - I think being "on the lookout" is what it's all about.
I did see parts of 20/20, the stories were so inspirational. I think that's going to be some of the good that comes out of the situation we're in today, people re-evaluating their lives, recognizing how important it is to appreciate the simple things, to be together, to be wise in their habits. Not a bad outcome of a sadly tough situation, it seems.
Joanne - I agree totally. I think it is a good thing, actually. Through the pain we will grow into something more. A new way of looking at the world, I think.
I think picking one thing- or a few things is something that everyone can do. We need to be working at both a micro AND macro level to turn the world around. That means working on your own self and your own life as well as making the world a better place for others through your actions.
Jenin - Absolutely.
great wisdom here. we can get overwelmed thinking there is so much we should be doing, but if we focus on one we can make all the difference in the world. the one about the person buying the woman's house for her...got me.
I didn't see the segment, but that was because I was at our local art cinema watching "Easy Virtue," a movie I highly recommend.
Anyway, I really appreciate all the comments you make on the comments, and have begun to branch out from some of my usual blogs. I'm adding yours to follow now. Thanks, LOL.
Brian - I know - she said something "just came over her" and she paid $30,000 for a house that she gave back to the owner!
DJan - Welcome - I'll stop by and visit you, too.
Thanks for the mention. I was hesitant to suggest that we start being proactive by starting by doing just one thing. But I do think that may be the answer. Of course some people are far more adept than I am so they may attack the "wrongs" of the world on multiple levels. All I know is, as I sit here and watch what's going on in the streets of Tehran, we should CARE.
Sorry I missed the 20/20 piece, it sounds like a good one.
Elizabeth - Your post mirrored what many of us are thinking. And yes, we should care what is happening in Tehran. There is something very important going on there.
As I've watched the Making a Difference segments on NBC Nightly News I've noticed that each individual has found a passion to help in an area of their own expertise or interest. So I think picking one makes sense. I try to be informed about many problems and world events, but we can't make a difference in all of them. If I live my life trying to create heaven around me, and focus on at least one problem that I can follow more closely and do what I can, this is about what I can handle. And I do think it makes a difference. I keep telling myself, even if one person is helped . . .
My hope is to get people over here to do more recycling and use less gas. I don't want the polar bears to run out of ice! My latest gripe is the number of aerosols in the cupboard under the sink!
Blessings, Star
Ruth - I feel the same way. I get overwhelmed with the news. I have to make things simpler or I just feel frozen.
Star - You might like my daughter's blog Lost In Translation - she is recycling so much they only have their garbage picked up once a month. I worry about the polar bears, too. I feel a physical reaction when I see them trying to find icebergs.
Dear Lover,
I have been catching up reading your posts. You have the most interesting, informative blog with the biggest heart, I really love it.
You must be so proud of your daughters and they of you.
And i agree, pick one thing, it's all we can do anyway, doing one thing with our whole hearts can and does make a difference.
xx
Lori - Hi, so glad to see your pretty face back - I hope you are feeling better!
Opportunities like this.. the chance to pick something.. seem to present themselves when I least expect it. If I'm lucky, I'll take notice and act upon it.
I really wish I were the type person that was creative enough to think of things that would better our world. I can't even think of simple things like what to cook for dinner most of the time.
Hilary - I am working on staying alert to the opportunities, as well.
luksky - Cooking dinner for your famiy, and caring for the next generation is pretty special! Maybe keep your eye out for a child that might need you? We often have those opportunities when our children are young.
That is THE most amazing photo.
You have an award on my blog. xxx
Sarah - Thanks! I'll stop by. The bird is a buzzard we had the good fortune to meet on the California Coast. There were two sitting in a tree. They allowed my husband to get closer by taking baby steps, until they finally felt he was too close, and this was the picture he was able to take!
Hi Lol! Great message, here. I would like to add that even one act of spoken kindness can change a life. A few years back,I was suicidal, and a friend of mine would ring and say, that it would matter to her if I passed over.That one act of caring didn't fix me immediately, but it stayed in my mind that someone cared. It only takes one, and I went on to help many,many people through my work, thus paying it forward 100 times over.xx♥
this only shows that the world really dynamic, therefore, we need to learn to adapt all these things.
I watched that 20/20 show as well, and I was most impressed with the woman who bought back the houses, and let the folks live in them. Talk about a random act of kindness. And I was amazed at how it became a foundation, just with the donations of other people who wanted to help. That is what it is all about, isn't it? People helping people.
Natalie - I'm so glad you stayed! And you are already making a difference.
Lolit - Yes, the world is dynamic and change is getting faster and faster.
Jo - It seems to be the only thing really working. People helping people is what's happening.
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