Back on my Feet

I stumbled across a video yesterday that made me think, made me sad, made me inspired. It is about a young woman who started a non profit called Back On My Feet to help homeless people. Check out the 5 minute video below if you have the time.

http://news.yahoo.com/video/homeless-business-owner-one-running-154620319.html
(I am not promoting this organization directly as I know very little about it, but it seems great)

It made me think about homeless people differently. What are THEIR stories? How can we truly HELP? Is it possible to wipe out homelessness in the greatest country on earth?

It made me sad because I realized I JUDGE homeless people way more than I ever should! Every time I see one holding a sign, I think "Why don't they try harder to get a job?". I am not proud of this thought, but I still think it. I wish I knew how to change it to be honest. I don't like to judge people, honestly. I do my very best to never judge ANYONE. But I still do sometimes. Why? I am not really sure. Something I need to learn and work on! For some reason or other, homeless people are the hardest for me to think about, deal with, etc. Not sure why, but I guess it is probably because I have a brother who is homeless and I know his true character. Of course it is WRONG to lump all homeless people into a category that is my brother. And does it truly mean my brother is a HOPELESS lost soul? Or is there a way to help him too? I have no answer for that, but I pray he gets found somehow. I just can't help him. He wants handouts from me, not hand ups.

This video inspired me because it makes me think in a different way. I still don't know what I am going to do about it, but at least I am thinking. That is the first step in any struggle in my opinion. To think DIFFERENTLY about it than you had before. I might see if there is a local Back On My Feet in Salt Lake?

Please share any stories or thoughts you have on this subject! I am all ears and ready to learn!

 

Not a spectacular photo of course, but appropriate for this post. These are the feet of a runner.

 

 

Now Go Out and Hug a Runner or a Homeless Person!!

 

 

 

It's a Magical World

I have been reading a lot of Calvin and Hobbes recently thanks to a friend who sent me some books on C&H. It has to be one of the funniest, if not THE funniest comic every written. So smart and so funny. You can read deeply into it and enjoy it, or just read it on the surface and enjoy it. The whimsical mind of a 6 year old boy and his not so imaginary feline friend. One of the books is called "It's a Magical World". They could not be more correct in my opinion. It IS a magical world indeed. At the end of the book is  the strip where it is a pure white setting of snow. Calvin contemplates it and says he loves the new fresh snow and a world of pure white... the possibilities are endless. "It's a Magical World, Hobbes Ol' Buddy. Let's go explore". Some of that is paraphrasing of course, but the last quotes is exact I believe. Anyway, there are endless possibilities for this life and exploring is the best way to discover those possibilities in my opinion. So I urge you to go out and explore the world as much as your little heart desires!

                              A painting by my cousin Joslyn. It's magical don't you think?

"The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper" ~Eden Phillpotts


Now Go Out and Hug Someone! It's Magical!
 

Beslan

We are in the middle of the 9th anniversary of the Siege in Beslan. As you know, Beslan is near and dear to my heart! The school was seized by terrorist on Sept. 1st, 2004. Teachers, civilians and children were held hostage for 52 hours. 1200 people were held hostage in a small gym with no food, water or means of going to the bathroom! In the end 334 people were killed, including 186 children!

This means that there were 800 plus survivors who have to live with PTSD and survivor guilt. Nine years later and these folks still need help. They need respites from the horrible memories and they need help in learning ways of getting past being victims and becoming survivors instead. Many have done that, but they all still need help. My friend Maria goes there every year for a week long respite and friendship to do all of the above. It is a splendid week of learning and loving. I invite anyone out there to go, if you are willing to love and respect and accept all that the people of Beslan have to offer! If you can't go personally, you can contribute to Maria's cause on the link below.

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/beslan-colored-support-children-of-beslan/

As some of you know, Maria's husband died this year and he was a big funder of this event. She needs more help now than ever! Global Giving is a nonprofit and even though you have to give them 15% of the money, they do good things as well! It is worth it in my opinion and I have donated. I hope to be one of the people going this April if all goes well! Hope to see you there too!

 

 

                     Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today!!