It WAS an exciting day yesterday. I agree with much of what was said; It's great to see a black President when not too long ago, they couldn't even use the same bathroom as a white person. But by far, the thing that excites me the most is seeing and hearing the next generation so inspired and seemingly ready and willing to get involved in our country.
No matter what channel I watched yesterday, I saw ad after ad, all day long, from many companies about getting involved and volunteering. Helping out our fellow humans - obviously inspired by our new President. While we can hope for change, and some people will "expect" it, it absolutely can't and won't happen until EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of us is willing to make it happen. We can't sit back and wait for the President to make our lives better.
If every individual who has an extra dollar would give that dollar to someone you know or a complete stranger who needs it, we can start making a difference. We can't let people go hungry - get that food out of your pantry that you know you won't eat and take it to the food bank.
Do you have old coats, blankets, gloves? Pack them up and get them in the car and head to the mission or to a local park where you know the homeless people stay during the day.
If you have extra, share it. If you have knowledge, put it to good use. It's so easy for us to "plan" on making a difference but also so easy to put it off or decide to let someone else do the work.
The economy is terrible now, the winter is cold, it seems to make us all depressed. But the best way out of depression, is to help someone. It's amazing how good it makes you feel to make a difference for even just one person.
So, I have a challenge for my readers. Once a week, all of those with blogs (if you have one I don't know about, send it to me!) should post about AT LEAST one thing we did during the week to make a difference. If you don't have a blog, you can comment on mine and let us know what you did. I'll post every Friday through the rest of the year and we can all post under Obama's words yesterday "Remaking America". Don't consider these posts as "bragging", they'll be used to give the rest of us ideas on what everyone is doing and an exchange of ideas on what we can do to make a difference, or help you brainstorm to accomplish lending a hand in some bigger way.
So, whether you pay the change for the person ahead of you in the grocery store, buy a pack of diapers for a mother you know can't afford them, volunteer for a week at a kids camp, take a kid to the movie that you know can't afford to go, or even share a kind word with someonve who obviously needs it - no matter how big or small, let's share what we're doing to help get the country we love back to where it should be.
Don't let them be just words from a new President. Let's make them OUR words and give them meaning, "YES WE CAN!"
14 comments:
(applause) Awesome post sister! Very inspirational. My mind is working on what I can do. I think I'll concentrate on "green" ideas.
Thanks sis!
Yay, I'm excited cuz you're excited and you're excited cuz I'm excited! (Or something like that, right?) I think you're onto something here, though. Obama is no savior, he is just a beacon of hope in a very dark time and something we very much needed. Real change is only going to happen, though, if we make it happen. And I think it's a great idea.
Jake mentioned about getting a volunteer group going at the Guard. He and another fella are working on getting that together but kind of took the holidays off since so many people were out of town and such. But I know that he's at least doing that on his end.
As for me? I don't know what I'll do... I could help Adam out -- on a regular basis -- with homework, if he wants it. Or I could volunteer more at Grace's school. I usually make it there once a week and that always feels good. I could help my parents out with buying groceries or doing yardwork. They're not getting any younger and it's hard to see them alone so much.
Hope you're having a good day! Love you!
Heather, you can do anything. You don't even have to really think about it so hard! Every single day, we see someone - if we pay attention, that needs some kind of help or kind word. Keep it simple! I can't tell you how many times I've been driving and seen an elderly person mowing their lawn and thought, I really should stop and finish that lawn for them. Well, now I'm going to start doing things like that. Help an older person bag their groceries at Winco, or help them unload them into their car. SO MUCH we can do every day to make a difference! I look forward to Friday to see what we've come up with in just a few days!
You are inspiring.
Yeah, Jodi, even though I did not vote for this President, I am with him 100 percent! We are the UNITED STATES of America, and until we all get behind OUR President, and help our neighbors, we can not get out of this mess!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, lOVE yA, sUE
Tallulah, people have been so kind to me through some of the tough times in my life. Thanks.
sUE! You commented! What you do at Christmas for the kids in the hospital is so wonderful, and you do it not for thanks, but because it's the right thing to do. You, my friend, are an inspiration and I love you too!
Opportunity #1: Volunteer to help my chemistry professor with cancer research. How cool is that?! :)
Heather! How exciting is that! I'm proud of you!
Jodi, I am in awe of your blog and the excitement of all the younger people around the country. Wouldn't it be beautiful if we all really could come together----to help one another, to be kinder, gentler people ! We Can ! There are always others who are in much worse situations than us.
I'm so proud of every one of you who responded with enthusiasm. ! !
Let's do it, let's help others.
Perhaps there will be new visitors to your blog who will pass this idea on. How great is that !
Holy...I step away from the computer for a couple hours and my sister has started a revolution!! What a great idea sis! It will help each of us remember that we ALWAYS have something to give or share to make another person's life a bit easier.
While Obama obviously can't "fix" this country by himself, he DOES represent change, a youthful energy and fresh ideas. And that is what is going to get us ALL motiviated to move forward in a positive direction I hope.
Thanks for doing this, Jod!! Can't wait to see what we all come up with. Here's a link that I am going to get involved with:
http://www.soulemama.com/mama_to_mama/
Her first project was to get people to take old t-shirts and turn them into baby hats. She gathered OVER 5,000 and sent them to Haiti. Cool, huh??
I'm adding her to my blog! I can't wait to see what she does next!
I think this is a great idea and I have been trying to live my life like this for a long time. It is amazing how often the need for a good deed comes up if you keep your eyes open. I swear the minimum time per week that I find someone that I can benefit is once....most often, much more than that. I have paid for groceries, helped an elderly person that had fallen on a sidewalk, got her up and took her home. That was yesterday! So, while I won't be commenting every Friday please know that I love your idea and I am participating!It does feel a little like bragging!
Sheri, I don't see it as bragging; I would LOVE to hear how others participate because it gives me new ideas. Brag away!
I agree Sheri. It's not bragging, it gives all of us ideas about things we can watch for and do. I EXPECT a comment every Friday!
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