Backpacking on the shoulders of friends

When a man with muscular atrophy told his friends that he dreamed of traveling the world, there was one small problem...how could he see everything he wanted to from a wheelchair?  With poor accessibility, even in cities, how would Kevan be able to maneuver in the more remote places like mountains to get to the vistas he was dreaming of?

Cue friends...

Seven of Kevan's closest friends created a backpack that would allow them to carry him in their Eurotrip, allowing Kevan to experience Europe in a way never imaginable via wheelchair.  They raised money online to make his dream a reality and are now creating similar backpacks for the public so that other people, like Kevan, will be able to get out of their wheelchairs and experience more of the world!

When we look for what is in the best interest of others, we often find that we serve ourselves, as well.

Be the change, it might just change you, too!

7 Years Old...A Re-Write

She rewrote 7 years by Lukas Graham
Posted by New Age Origins on martes, 22 de marzo de 2016

A beautiful re-write of "7 Years Old" with the revised lyrics for a better world for all of us.  

Be the change. 

While some people are talking about building up walls...

...others have been using them as a tradition since 1979 of unity between two nations.  

Along the southwest border of the United States, where a wall separates it from its neighbor to the south, Mexico, there are people who don't see the wall as a way to divide humanity, but a way to promote humanity.  They see the wall and they say, "how can we use this to connect with people that we're told not to connect with?"  The answer since '79 has been Wallyball...and it's exactly what it sounds like: volleyball over the international border wall between the U.S. and Mexico!

Every April, teams unite on both sides of the border to compete across the wall as a sign of friendship and joint condemnation of the division of people.  These people recognize the importance of keeping strong ties between their friends and neighbors, even when the powers-that-be don't share or promote the same logic and/or emotional connections.

When we see each other as humans, when we connect over our love of fun and sports, we are olympians.  We are champions of the world and of humanity.  We say "walls are objects, but we see you as humans, like us, and we appreciate and acknowledge you and your struggles and your triumphs." 

What a beautiful demonstration of continuous friendship and playful rivalry over an object meant to divide, that only makes the people who REALLY understand it, grow closer.

Be the change, wherever you may be!

See more at the following links: Quartz and Sliptalk.

NY City Ballet Children's Dance Workshop!

"It would mean so much to my daughter and children like her to be able to take part in a New York City Ballet Workshop and for one day feel like they, too, could become ballerinas."

Little Pearl has cerebral palsy.  The New York City Ballet had two principal dancers give not one, but FOUR workshops for 19 children with special needs.  The results are beautiful.  The parents, the dancers/teachers, the Doctor who freed the children from their braces, and, most of all, the children...being children!

Thank you NYCity Ballet for giving these kids a chance to see that they are normal and can do normal things (and then some)!  A true example of how to be the change any which way you can!

Puppies and Reading

What's better than a puppy?

Well, for parents, seeing their kids learn to read is a huge thing...that may or may not trump puppies. 

In the case of an animal shelter in Missouri, though, we can get the bet of both worlds!

The director of education a the Missouri Humane Society explains that many shelter pets are very timid and are not very social, which can make it difficult when they have to impress potential new families who may consider adopting them.

 How does this fulfill a parent's dream of seeing their children read? The humane society has teamed up with local children who are interested in helping with the animals. These kids go through an educational program where they learn about shelter animals and their socialization and they are then paired up with a pup. They practice their reading skills by sitting in front of the dog kennel and reading out loud to them, sharing the photos from the picture-books, and giving treats to any dogs that come out of their shell and approach the front of their kennel. The kennel director explains that dogs that are confident in coming to the front of their kennel are more approachable and more adoptable than timid dogs.

So kids learn to read and practice reading out loud to scared puppies to make them friendly and happy puppies which make them more likely to be adopted by a happy and loving family.

Everyone wins? Absolutely!

Two paws up! Read on, world-changers!

See the original story and photos of these interactions here.

FREE HUGS...because I can't get enough!

I've been following the Free Hugs campaign for years.  It's been a while since I've seen any videos and this one popped up today and, unlike many videos these days, my attention was held through he end, and my smile grew and stayed the duration of the video.  What a great project!  What joy!  What humanity!  Go people!  Hugs make the world go 'round!

Straight Outta LA - Hug Tha Police!

Straight Outta LA - Hug Tha Police!

Posted by Free Hugs Project on lunes, 25 de enero de 2016

Better through Beautification

New Mexico makes some pretty progressive moves.  One of them was in their desert prison and now, there's a new one making headlines: End to Pan-handling.  The government offers employment for 5 1/2 hours a day doing some light manual labor to do city beautification.  They provide lunch and $9/hour in cash for the work that is performed as well as provides necessary services to people to help get them back on their feet and off the streets.

Instead of giving citations to homeless people for panhandling, Albuquerque passed a new initiative that allows them to earn money for jobs in the city. (via Mayor Richard J. Berry)
Posted by Upworthy on miércoles, 3 de febrero de 2016

It's a simple concept, and it's working!  Take a look at the faces of those around you.  Imagine the things that may have put them in their position, and think about how little it takes to end up in their shoes!  Supporting projects like this is supporting your neighbors, friends, family, and maybe someday it'll help you, too!  Your neighborhood is cleaned up and other people are getting the help they need.  What could be better?!

Clean Slate: Forgetting Regrets

What's your biggest regret?
We asked people what they regret most. Their answers all shared this one heartbreaking feature.http://aplus.com/s/83d4dc91dee
Posted by A Plus on jueves, 28 de enero de 2016

"Helping Others": The Meaning of Christmas

"Philly," a homeless man in Louisiana, set up a tree which was then taken away by the city.  

When people in the area heard what had happened, they brought trees, decorations, and gifts (to put under the new trees).  There were so many trees that Philly gave them away to a women's shelter that didn't have any.  He also said that the gifts people brought were for anyone who needed them.  In addition to the gifts that people donated, Philly said he was most impressed that people were giving each other hugs.  When asked what Christmas means to him, Philly already knew exactly how to respond: Helping Others.  Philly, you are an inspiration and you represent the true meaning of Christmas.  Thank you to Philly and all of the people who reached out to him to share Christmas cheer with their community during this holiday season!

If that isn't a story of hope, community, and love...well then I don't know what is.  Happy Holidays!

Animals: The best teachers?

It's hard not to watch animals sometimes and wonder if they may be more civilized than humans.
Elephants have big hearts (literally).

This Elephant Calf Stuck in the Mud Symbolizes All of Our Stru...
This elephant calf stuck in the mud symbolizes all of our struggleshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SauNUEw_OU
Posted by storyful on Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Seek Beauty. Reflect Beauty. Be beauty.

Let people know when you see their beauty.  

They might not see it, themselves 

...but that moment when they hear it, they become it.

Thanks to Upworthy for sharing this project 

from the inner-mind of a high school art student in Chicago.

Empowering Each Other

A local barber gives free haircuts to children before "picture day."  Why?  "Just to support the community...empowering each other."  Good people doing good things and the name of the greater good of the communities where they live and work.  Good on you, dude!

A local barber took time out of his day Wednesday to help out RCSD students ahead of Picture Day!Read the story here: http://bit.ly/1O8w7sz
Posted by 13 WHAM ABC on miércoles, 28 de octubre de 2015

How will YOU use your skills, talents, and passions to Be The Change? 

From Poor Perspective

I read a really good post from the perspective of a man named Eric, who spent nearly ten years trying to work his way out of poverty.  It's his take on some of the main issues that contribute to being poor (in the U.S.) and how the situation might compare for people who are not poor.  There are moments when I can just imagine some people who "have" saying "this is stupid, why didn't you just...*insert easy fix here*" but I really appreciate that he put all if it out there and then some, taking time to respond to those and other questions and comments in the commentary section which is usually riddled with not nice people.  On this occasion, however, it seemed like a lot of people could relate not only to Eric's life but to his compassion.  People commented, openly admitting their non-impoverished lives, and yet still were able to recognize and support Eric's theories and shoot down some people who just don't seem to get it even when they outwardly state some of the major flaws in their "comparable" situations.

Poverty is a compound issue because any issue that may be small for the "average" person is that much more expensive in dollars, in time, and in energy, based on the fact that it is generally not the only issue they have.  I urge you to take a look at this, even if you already think you "get it" and even MORE so if you "get that people are lazy and are good at making excuses. (*note sarcasm)"  A lot of poor people are too busy to make excuses.  So do yourself a favor;  Read the article, gain some new perspective, recognize what it's like to see or face all of these obstacles at once.

I was able to look at this list and relate to so many points, and I'm a college-educated middle class adult.  I can only imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have people who supported me financially when I needed it in the past, or who didn't offer me shelter when I didn't have any money for rent, or who didn't encourage me and even take their own time to help me search for job opportunities when I was having a hard time encouraging myself and finding time to be able to work AND search for a better option.  I can't remember what it was like to take care of my apartment alone, to make every meal on my own, and I can't remember a time when I didn't feel that I had a safety net in case something were to go wrong.  I am so lucky...a lot of us are and I'm not sure that we all take the time or even think to realize it.

So this is a "thank you."  Thank you to everyone who has ever helped me.  Thank you to everyone who has ever taught me or showed me what it is to help others.  Thank you to my husband for not making me do it all alone anymore.  Thank you to Eric for writing about poverty from first-hand experience from "the other side" now that you've "made it out."  Thank you to the people in the comment section for understanding, for recognizing that a split second can change an entire reality for people or that poverty can be your challenge from birth with generations of it built up.

There's a way out.  There are people that can help.  

There are people that understand.  You can do it.

To see Eric's article click here.

Who stops bullying?

What happens when this girl gets bullied in public?... Watch to see & remember to #StandUP against bullying. #NationalBullyingPreventionMonth

Posted by UPtv on viernes, 23 de octubre de 2015

Would you dance?

I would dance...would you?

Would you dance? Its people like this that make me smile. Well done to him for spreading the positivity. Couldn't see this happen on the underground though! xx

Posted by KATIE PRICE on Lunes, 23 de febrero de 2015

I love viral videos aimed at making people IN them happy, but they a standing/dancing ovation when they make video WATCHERS happy, too! Love!

"More problems: more problems"

A word (or a few) for the wise (or the general media).

Promote opportunities instead of instilling fear and catalyzing problems.  When you focus only on the problems, you ARE the problem.  Look for solutions.  Look for the good in people and in situations.  I am not saying that we should ignore problems - ignoring them does not make them disappear - but it is possible and necessary to SEE the problem but to FOCUS on the solution.

What will your opportunity be?  

Look for the solution.  Solve the problem.

When push comes to shove...

When push comes to shove we all want the same thing out of life. To love and be loved. That has become a scary word in a time of text messages, social media, and hipocracy. It is a scary word because it means something different to each and everyone of us. Who are we to not approach every person we meet with love? We can learn so much from each other and we all have so much love to give. Take the time to talk to someone you wouldn't normally. Everyone means the world to someone even if they may not think so of themselves. Share the love! It will make the world a better place. We cannot expect respect and love if we do not give it ourselves!

Thanks for sharing A.T.

The Little Things: Pass it On

Start your own domino effect today...even if you don't think anyone's watching.  You don't need a reason to do something nice, but you'll never know the impact of those "little things" and how you might inspire someone else to "pay it forward."  Who knew that from a 2010 Liberty Mutual Commercial we could find so much depth.  Pretty awesome.

Alice's Magic

To quote John Lennon:  "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

Step 1: Believe in magic!  

Step 2: Go out and make it happen!

Step 3:  Make others believe by being an example of the magic that is possible in the world!

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: People Create Culture

Well worth your time, this video touches on so many things, while its main focus is gender and "happy" feminism.  I think it will be generally easier for women to be engaged by this discussion as it is more relateable from personal experiences but men will find it entertaining and will gain perspective and connection through her anecdotes.  Have a watch and see if you are not moved.  She makes points and calls out cultural differences between how genders are treated that you may never have taken the time to notice because they are so ingrained.

As she says, culture doesn't make people...people make culture.  Let's create the culture we want to live in and to be known for.