Small Things Count

I like books.  Real, lick-a-finger-and-turn-a-page books.  Most people I know prefer their hand-held device with words that appear thanks to cyber-space.  Why my preference?  Maybe this explains it.

Too many babies are born into a life of poverty, malnutrition, and illiteracy, then pass those conditions on to their children as their only possible legacy.  We must do what we can to stop the cycle.  Of course, we can donate to organizations that fight poverty, feed the hungry, and educate children.  But we can also volunteer as baby-rockers in at-risk hospital nurseries; aides in limited-English-speaking classes; tutors for underachieving students or those locked away in Juvenile Hall.  We can visit a museum, art gallery, zoo, tech museum, etc., taking with us a child of parents struggling to find jobs or working several jobs to meet the bills.  We can invite a latch-key child to help make a batch of cookies or casserole, then send it home with the young cook to show off to the family.  We can do…a million little things that will make a lasting impression on a young life, build his or her self-esteem, or teach a concept or a skill–all providing a step toward a better life for a child.  End the cycle, one child at a time.  

One more chore done–oil changed in Betsy.  If you didn’t dump that motor oil onto the ground or into the sewers or drains, what would you save besides ground- and water-pollution?  Each gallon of recycled oil can produce enough energy to watch 60 football games or dry your hair 216 times. So…RECYCLE THAT OIL!

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

Create the Good!  That’s the name of a website I just discovered.  When I put in my zip code and and chose an interest, it gave me ideas for what I can do in my own area to volunteer a little or a lot of time, either with an organization or from my own home.  I could select limiting factors, like  family-friendly or (in my case) handicap accessible; the mileage range I’d be willing to travel–even the date range I’m available.  It gave me some activities I’m not ready for (Co-Chair for Relay for Life), others that sounded interesting, and one I’m very equipped to do–talk with a person from China who needs someone to practice her English skills with.

This is a good idea.  If you have the urge to give some of your time and talent to help others improve their lives, check out this AARP-sponsored website at http://createthegood.org.

Chocolate-lovers, celebrate! As today’s Thursday Thought quote points out, we NEED chocolate in our lives.

“Reminiscent of childhood memories, luxury, sweetness and sensuality, chocolate is more than just a food – it is therapy. ” — Christelle Le Ru

Sometimes–often, actually–I’m proud of and grateful to my fellow human beings.

My husband had a difficult time with his health for several weeks and was feeling well enough to “escape” the house and go out for lunch.  The lunch was great, but it tired him out.  I left him sitting in front of Armadillo Willy’s BBQ, a spot of their delicious sauce on his sleeve, and went to get the car.  A few yards out of the parking space and I knew I had a flat tire.  I pulled into a double space, straddling the line so there was room to change the flat and was getting my handicap scooter out of the car, with the idea of having my husband hang on to me as he walked to the safety of the car.

Along came a woman who had been in the restaurant with us, learned what was going on, and insisted that she pick him up in her car and bring him to me.  Then a man, Alex, wandered by and offered to change the tire, saying he could do it before AAA could even dispatch the call.  He couldn’t do it with the tools we had, so he dropped my husband off at home (about three miles away).  Then he actually went by his own home and picked up better tools.  He found me waiting for AAA, who was due in another 15 minutes.  Instead of leaving, he hung around and talked with me.

Between Alex’s two times with me several people–some walking, some driving–stopped by to offer help.

I wish I could express how much all this meant to me, how much their actions, which seemed small to them, were huge to me.  With so much animosity and negativity in the news, it felt good to be the recipient of the kindness of these strangers.

As I said, it makes me grateful and proud.

“An eye for an eye.”  God gave this rule to His simple people wandering the desert to help them put things into perspective.  He knew they acted out of impulsive vengeance, and He wanted them to think before they acted.  Then Jesus came and refined the process by emphasizing compassion.  Christians take note: every month our society turns its back on Jesus’ teaching by executing a man.  Eventually we’ll get to everyone on Death Row…unless we act as followers of Jesus.  We must write letters and emails and make phone calls to our governor and state representatives.   They need to be reminded that most people favor alternatives (like life-imprisonment).  They recognize that each stated opinion represents a multitude of silent others who feel the same way.  This  means that your one little letter DOES count!  They know they must listen to us because, after all, elections are coming soon.

Whether because of convenience, taste, advertising hype, or whatever, so many people use bottled water, even at home. It seems worth the price. But is it? This chart explain the actual cost. (By the way, the taste is usually because of chemicals, like chlorine, used to purify the tap water. If you draw a container–I use a 1.5 ltr. beverage dispenser–and let it sit out for several hours, uncovered, the taste goes away and it tastes like bottled water. Cap it and put it into your fridge.)

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Alexander Hamilton were bitter rivals.  As men, they often showed their dislike of one another.  But as leaders of our nation, they set aside that animosity, because they were united in a higher goal: creating and uniting a “federation of distinct regional and economic interests bound by core principles and liberties upon which a carefully balanced national government could function and thrive.”  These men showed greatness.

Today we have the same goals and ideals, but the divisions have been allowed to set up warring camps in Congress.  Instead of looking for the best possible compromise to serve the largest number of people and keep our nation’s ideals intact, our leaders are standing their ground, mired in party politics.  Anything proposed by one side is an automatic “No!” on the other side.

On this Independence Day I ask, Where is the greatness shown by our founding fathers?  How did we get so far off track?  More importantly, how do we get back?  The people leading us need to take a lesson from those four great men who were able to put aside petty differences for the greater good.